Revamped Peace Trek Raises Over $6,000 for Eden Foundation Despite Heavy Rain
Participants at the fifth annual Peace Trek at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) on Aug. 15 persevered through torrential downpours to raise crucial funds and community awareness for mental health and wellness services across southern Manitoba. Hosted by MHV in Steinbach, the annual event serves as a fundraiser for Eden Foundation, an organization that funds Eden Health Care Services. Despite inclement weather that prompted lighthearted jokes from participants calling the walk ‘The Peace Swim,’ organizers reported that 24 registered participants rallied together to raise more than $6,000 to date for the organization’s programming.
Transitioning from Cycle-a-Thon to Inclusive Community Walk
This year’s fifth annual event featured a major structural change designed to make the initiative more accessible to residents of all ages and physical abilities across the region. Organizers revamped what was previously a cycle-a-thon into a 5K community walk. Explaining the motivation behind the format change, MHV executive director Robert Goertzen noted that not everyone is cut out for a marathon bicycle ride. Goertzen emphasized that organizers plan to continue making changes and tweaks to ensure the event achieves maximum impact, helping to generate funds and particularly awareness for Eden’s work while improving the experience for participants.
Goertzen expressed pride in MHV’s long-standing association with Eden Foundation, stating that even though summer represents a very busy time for the museum, staff and volunteers will continue to find ways to make the Peace Trek more visible and accessible to keep Eden’s programs running.
Braving the Weather in Solidarity
The weather put the determination of the trekkers to the test from the moment they departed the pavilion at MHV. Eden Foundation marketing and events manager Tyson Deceuninck recalled that conditions were fine while participants waited to begin. However, as soon as the procession left the pavilion, the skies opened up. Deceuninck noted that while watching Goertzen lead the procession out of MHV, he looked at the sky in surprise at the sudden downpour, but observed that nobody hesitated or slowed down as they walked along letting their smiles shine.
Deceuninck, who made a point of visiting with each of the participants along the course, reported that while overall registration was down slightly this year due to the rain and competing summer obligations, the dedication of those attending was remarkable. Participants ranged from parents navigating the route with toddlers to a 94-year-old trekker. Walking up and down the procession, Deceuninck heard several participants urge him not to cut the course short, noting that walkers were all smiles as they sloshed their way between the waypoints of the route, toughing it out through the conditions.
The trekkers emphasized that the people supported by Eden Foundation have lived through conditions far tougher than a rainy walk. Several participants noted that they had personally used the services provided by Eden Foundation, understanding firsthand what it means to struggle in life and remaining dedicated to demonstrating their commitment through their participation.
Among those travelling to take part was a participant who drove all the way from Winkler specifically to join the trek. Fully prepared for the bad weather, she carried a weatherproof backpack holding an extra pair of dry socks to change into at the finish line. She also brought extra towels to share with fellow walkers who needed to wipe off their glasses or dry items along the course.
Supporting Local Programs and Supportive Housing
A central moment of the walk was its route, which brought participants past one of Eden’s supportive housing facilities in Steinbach. Eden Health Care Services operates three specific programs in Steinbach, with the supportive housing unit standing as its flagship initiative. The supportive housing facility provides individuals living with disabilities with access to shelter, counselling, and medical services, along with assistance from social workers that is available in some cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As the procession made its way past the supportive housing unit, trekkers offered a visible and vocal message of encouragement, waving and shouting words of love to the residents inside. Deceuninck explained that this supportive housing provides slightly more than standard affordable housing, giving residents a cheaper place to live alongside structured care and assistance as needed. This support plays a vital role in helping to prevent relapse, homelessness, or involvement with the criminal justice system.
Ongoing Opportunities to Support
Organizers remind the public that donations to the Peace Trek remain open until Friday online at mhv.ca/event/peace-trek-5k-community-walk/. Funds raised through the event directly support Eden Health Care Services and its mission to address mental health and wellness in communities throughout southern Manitoba.
Reporting based on details published by The Carillon.
