A fundraiser held at MJ’s Kafe in Steinbach raised $20,000 to support Tasha Wiese, a local daycare worker who lost both hands and her legs above the knees due to severe health complications.
Wiese was hospitalized on March 10 with severe pneumonia, invasive Group A Streptococcus, and septic shock, which led to the amputations.
Her uncle, Bryan Bartel, who owns MJ’s Kafe, organized the 'Tasha Burger' fundraiser that saw 525 burgers sold at $25 each. Additionally, cakes made by Wiese’s grandmother and bracelets created by the Good News Daycare children, where Miss Tasha worked, added to the fundraising total.
Tahnee Hoff, Wiese’s sister, says they are grateful by the community’s generosity.
"We were overwhelmed by the support," Hoff said. "To hear they sold out by 10 a.m. was just incredible."
Recovering and adjusting to a new life
The 34-year-old Steinbach woman remains at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, where she is learning to navigate her new reality. Hoff says her sister is now able to sit up in a wheelchair twice a day, and they’re working on building her strength.
"She's way ahead of the healing schedule that physio typically sees," Hoff said.
Wiese has also been able to go outside, where she was recently reunited with her dog, Chip.
"It was almost two months since they last saw each other," Hoff said. "She smiled so much that day."
Communication has also improved as Wiese can now use her phone through voice command. "Getting a text from her again was huge. “It was like a little bit of normalcy returning."
Wiese cheering for the Jets from hospital bed
As an avid hockey fan, Wiese continues to follow the progress of the Winnipeg Jets, dressed in Whiteout gear and cheering from her hospital room. Hoff says they make sure she is always informed about the team’s schedule and enjoy watching the games with her. The late starts have proven to be a challenge, so Sunday matinees are ideal, especially when the Jets do well.
Messages of support and community impact
Wiese continues to receive messages of encouragement from former co-workers, daycare families, and friends. She also received a teddy bear from her grandmother, adorned with bracelets made by the daycare kids.
"It’s been incredibly moving to see how much support she’s getting," Hoff said. "We’re just so grateful to everyone who has reached out or donated."
"We don’t even have the words to say how much we appreciate what the community has done for Tasha. The generosity has been overwhelming and will help her so much as she recovers."
For those wanting to contribute, the GoFundMe campaign for Wiese is still active and you can donate by clicking here.
"Keep praying for her and sending those messages of support. She’s reading them, and they mean so much to her."
Hoff says it’s one thing to hear about how generous people in the Southeast are, and a totally different thing to be on the receiving end of this incredible generosity.
"I don't know if any of us [could] write something that would express how deeply moved and thankful we are for this community."