Steinbach musician Danny Plett filled the Mennonite Heritage Village auditorium with music as he and other musicians gave voice to an important cause on Saturday.
The music will be part of a fundraising concert in support of the Eden Foundation, which will be released at 7 p.m. on April 5, (Easter Monday).
Funds raised will support Eden Health Care Services’ expansion in Steinbach at Bethesda Wellness Centre.
Earl Reimer, director of development for Eden Foundation said the move to the new location includes the present services of housing and supports, Recovery of Hope counselling services, the Positive Living Program, the Wellness Library and Segue Career Options. Office space will also be included in the new space for a psychiatrist.
Reimer said the pre-recorded concert, produced by Kevin McQuade and Sundown Road Media, will also include interviews with people sharing their mental health stories.
"Some are from the Steinbach area, some are from Winnipeg and some are from the Winkler area," he said. "The whole purpose is to bring some inspiration to people who are on this mental health journey."
GREG VANDERMEULEN
Danny Plett and other musicians recorded music Saturday at the Mennonite Heritage Village auditorium for the April 5 concert.
Reimer said the release date of the concert on Easter Monday, is fitting.
"Eastertide is sort of the season where we have this combination of sorrow and celebration, Good Friday followed by Easter Sunday," he said. "If nothing else, it’s a bit of a reminder for us that this pandemic, this thing that we are sorrowing over will come to an end eventually and we will again be able to celebrate. We will again be able to shake hands with people and hug people again, and sing live again for a change. But in the meantime, this is our reality."
Reimer said they’ve noticed a significant increase in the number of people seeking mental health assistance during the pandemic.
Those numbers are up across the board, including at the mental health facility in Winkler, and in their community mental health and Recovery of Hope programs.
Reimer wouldn’t supply an exact number for their financial goal, saying only they’ll need to raise "a lot" of funds. And while it’s their hope the concert does that, there’s no cost to viewing the show.
In fact, the concert will be available at edenhealthcare.ca in the weeks following April 5 as well.
"All the way through there will be access to a secure donation link and we hope people will find a motivation, feel a reason to donate to the effort that Eden is making," Reimer said.
Reimer said they feel fortunate to get support over the years from Steinbach citizens and businesses.
"It needs to be said that the business community here has been very, very helpful and in larger part there have always been very, very generous people here in Steinbach," he said.