Crossing the Canyon for Mental Health

Six “Plus 60” individuals from the Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg are preparing to hike through the Grand Canyon, September 14-18 and raise funds for Eden Health Care Services. 

The hikers will carry their own food, water and other essentials for the 4 day hike through the Canyon, so the excursion involves navigating uneven terrain in hot weather with backpack loads of 14 – 22 kilograms. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the difference of elevation from the North Rim to the bottom is more than one mile.

The members of the hike are Anne and Jerry Friesen, Dave Loewen, John Janzen, John Pankratz and John Unger.

Grace and Bill Martens, Grace Loewen, Ruth Janzen, Pat Pankratz and Merril Unger will make the trip with the hikers as their support team.

Funds raised will be receipted by Eden Foundation and designated for the new Winnipeg Housing Initiative that is scheduled for construction beginning this September.  Eden Health Care Services is soliciting donations for this quality and affordable housing project. Providing a safe home is essential to good mental health. For a charitable receipt, donations should be made out to Eden Foundation – Winnipeg Housing Initiative.  

The Eden Winnipeg Housing Initiative is a joint venture for a new 45 unit apartment building in Winnipeg that will provide safe affordable homes for families and adults having difficulty finding housing, including those with mental health issues. The building will be located on the existing Concordia Housing campus on Molson Street. Eden Health Care Services will operate the facility and funding of $11,102,588 has been secured from the Governments of Manitoba and Canada. Crossing the Canyon for Mental Health will seek to make a significant contribution toward Eden’s project fund commitment of $40,000. 
Funds in excess of the requirements for the Winnipeg Housing Initiative will continue to be used in other Eden Housing projects.

To donate in support of Crossing the Canyon for Mental Health, you may contact the Eden offices by calling toll free 1.866.895.2919 or by donating on-line HERE.

2013 Winkler Tractor Trek

The Visit the Villages TRACTOR TREK is an event organized by the Eden Foundation in Winkler, MB. each summer.  This is our 6^th annual trek and we are anticipating  about 40  tractors to be registered.  The tractors need to be 40 years old or older and be able to maintain a speed of 8 – 10 mph.  Our route this year will take us west to the escarpment with lunch at the GLENCROSS Church in the Mason School District, south of Morden.  The day begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Reinland Community Centre, south of Winkler, with registration and a hearty breakfast buffet. The breakfast  buffet is by donation.  Family members and the general public are encouraged to join the trekkers for breakfast.  (All breakfast donations are in support of the Reinland Community Centre). Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. after which the trekkers begin their journey.  Judges will be present, judging the tractors throughout the day in different categories as chosen by the judging committee.  The final destination will be the Pembina Thresherman’s Museum, west of Winkler.  Upon arrival, a tractor olympics will take place.  A windup supper meal, entertainment and prizes will conclude this day of enjoying memories of the past and the creation of new ones.

Each registered trekker is asked to collect pledges in support of Eden’s mental health recovery programs.  The goal of the event is to raise $1,000 per tractor entry. The funds raised with this event help to fund Eden’s mental health recovery programs that do not receive government funding.  It is through these programs that individuals experiencing mental health challenges receive hope and healing.

Many smiles are created as tractor stories are shared, old friendships renewed and new friendships formed. Come and be a part of the journey and the continuing story of Tractor Trek.

To register your tractor, call  1-866-895-2919 / (204) 325-5355

Registration Form
Waiver Form
Donate Online

2013 Steinbach Tractor Trek

2013 Tractor Trek Poster

Registration Form

Safety Guidelines

Waiver Form

Harmony for Hope