THE BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
Wednesday 16 September 2015
This Blog Has Moved
You can find new Bridge Newsletter posts on our new website at edenhealthcare.ca/news.
Wednesday 15 July 2015
Visit the Villages Tractor Trek 2015
Aerial view of the tractor assembly point at Reinland Community Centre |
Visiting the Villages during the 8th Annual
Tractor Trek on Saturday July 11th was a delight. The weather was just the right combination of
warm temperatures and overcast skies.
The entourage of 50 tractors started the trek in Reinland, crossed HWY
#32 and then wended its way northward through Blumenfeld, Friedensfeld,
Hochfeld, Chortitz and then had a lunch stop at Eden Mental Health Centre.
Five rows of tractors all lined up at Eden Mental Health Centre |
Hospital Director John Abbors gave the trekkers a summary of
the background to the facility, how it serves the Southern Health Region and
how it continues to be a part of the expression of faith as it was first
envisioned by the nine founding church conferences.
When the trekkers left after lunch, they made a slow
procession past Salem Home; whose administration had been informed, allowing
assembled residents the opportunity to see what residents of the villages had
seen during the morning hours.
The tour stopped in at Chortitz at Valley Christian Academy
for a balance beam competition. The goal
in this event was to drive the tractor up onto two large bridge timbers and
balance the tractor for five seconds without either of the ends touching the
ground. A number of riders accomplished
the task and the winner was Ed Dyck from Boissevain on a Farmall A with a time
of 23.22 seconds. For his efforts he
will be receiving a year’s subscription to the ‘Antique Power’ magazine.
Balancing beam...with stye! |
After everyone arrived back in Reinland for supper, the
judges took over and made awards in a number of categories.
The Best Non-Restored Tractor went to John Driedger from
Carman on his 1964 Massey Ferguson 35.
The Best Original Restored went to Jake Harder from Altona
on his 1959 John Deere 730.
The Best Original Restored with Modifications went to Randy
Suderman who was driving a 1958 Allis Chalmers D-14.
The Quietest Running Tractor award went to Armin Ens from
Reinland on what he calls his “parade queen”, a 1948 Ford 8N.
The Oldest Tractor award went to Greg Chase from Regina who
was driving John Elias, his father-in-law’s 1940 Ford 9N.
The Easiest Starting award went to Tyler Wiebe who was
driving his grand-father’s 1953 Oliver 77 and he also received the Smoothest
Running Tractor Award. It is also
important to note that his grand-father, Martin P. Wiebe had been a long-time
participant in the Tractor Trek and a source of encouragement to the organizers
of the Tractor Trek. His passing in
February of this year was a great loss to his family who honoured him by
participating in this year’s event.
The purpose of the event was to raise the awareness of what
Eden Mental Health Centre does in the community and to again highlight the
breadth of services that have grown from that original dream. The services include Segue Career Options,
helping people evaluate their skills and receive training and coaching as they
re-enter the working community. Also
highlighted was the fact that housing and supports within those housing
complexes are available to people who are in some stage of mental health
recovery, living alongside others who do not necessarily have any diagnosis or
need for supports. The housing model is
a reflection of the reality of the world we all live in. Not everyone is healthy, nor is everyone
ill. We have some of each and we live
together and the Eden housing model is a reflection of that reality.
The results of event were that; at the time of this writing,
just over $57,000 was recorded as received from the community. It again is a clear indication of the
community’s generosity and also an indication of the fact that there is a
recognition of the need for the services that Eden can offer to the Southern
Health region.
Visit the Villages Tractor Trek 2016 is scheduled for
Saturday July 9th, 2016. As
in each year past, a new route will be chosen and new events added to the ‘TO
DO’ list.
All tractor pictures are courtesy of Terry Klassen photography. If you'd like to see the complete catalogue of pictures that he took during this event, go to: www.topstockphoto.com and then go to 'Galleries' - 'Special Events' - 'Tractor Trek 2015'.
Wednesday 24 June 2015
100 Holes For Eden
Eden Foundation's Linda Driedger at the 15th Annual Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Marathon
|
The 15th annual Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Marathon took place in Winkler Tuesday, raising over $10,000 for Eden Health Care Services.
Eden Foundation's Linda Driedger says the funds raised at this tournament will be used for mental health recovery programs, programs for housing, job opportunity services, counselling, and other programs that will give individuals with mental health issues a chance at recovery.
Eleven golfers took part in the day, one of which was Winkler Chamber President Ryan Hildebrand. He was on the 75th hole when we chatted with him about why he wanted to do this.
"I've seen the work that Eden has done first-hand and I see how many people are helped through the work of Eden and it just inspires us to come out year after year."This was Hildebrand's 5th year participating in the tournament.
Written by Vickie Addison for Pembina Valley Online. Used with permission.
Monday 15 June 2015
Steinbach Tractor Trek
The theme for 2015 was "Preserving the Past and Creating a Future". Mennonite Heritage Village has been active since it began in the business of preserving the stories and the artifacts of a people who arrived in Manitoba and called it home. In order that the artifacts will stay intact for future generations to see, climate control equipment at MHV is in need of repair and upgrade.
Eden Foundation represented the "Creating a Future" portion of the theme in that proceeds will be used to create hope, healing and community by supporting the work of Eden Health Care Services. The work of EHCS in the Southern Health Region includes personal and family counselling, work-readiness assessment and training, and housing and supports. A significant goal for Eden Health Care Services is to provide resources to build a new apartment block following the model already proven to be successful at Penfeld Court in Steinbach and Concordia Village IV in Winnipeg.
Pictures of many of the tractors and some of the activities will be posted in the very new future. Visit this site again in the near future.
Access Credit Union Renews Support for Eden Health Care Services
Chris Hildebrand, Earl Reimer, Joel Billing |
The work of Eden Health Care Services that is being supported by these fund-raising events goes to support private counselling for people who would not otherwise be able to receive individualized help. It also goes to support trainers in helping people prepare for and find work and return to the community as a valuable contributor to the community and it also goes to provide safe, affordable housing for those who would not otherwise be able to afford a decent place to live.
Access Credit Union values the partnership with Eden and understands the significance of good mental health within the workplace. ACU is by its nature an organization created by the people and for the people of the communities they serve. They have shown that communitment to the community by their involvement in many charities and events in the community and Eden Foundation represents one of those involvements.
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