A group of cyclists are getting ready to hit the trails this weekend to raise money for a couple of local organizations.
The 4th annual Peace Trek supports the work of Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) in Steinbach and Eden Health Care Services.
On Saturday, August 16th, these cyclists will travel along the historic Peace Trail, a path that mirrors the one taken by the first Mennonites when they settled in southeastern Manitoba, while aiming to raise $30,000.
“We'll have registration between 8:00 and 9:00 AM,” says Robert Goertzen, Executive Director at MHV. “We have been starting at the Mennonite landing, which is the confluence of the Rat River and Red River. However, because the trails are kind of fair-weather trails, last year we decided to start at Hespeler Park in Niverville, and that was just an ideal space, because there's a parking lot there and some interpretive panels for the Peace Trail and just a wonderful place to start. You know that you're going to be on good roads from Niverville all the way to Steinbach.”
This is the 151st anniversary of Mennonite settlement in Manitoba. Cyclists will visit key landmarks that played a pivotal role in the early Mennonite immigration and settlement.
Goertzen expects the group to start cycling at 9 am with stops along the way, ending up at the Mennonite Heritage Village.
“We expect people to show up at the museum somewhere between 12:30 and 1:00, where they'll be greeted by a lunch, and then there'll be a short program as well, where we'll just acknowledge the efforts of our riders and thank them for that. As well, there will be some awards and just some updates about the two organizations, Eden Health Care Services and Mennonite Heritage Village.”
For Dave Sawatzky, Director of Development for Eden Health Care Services, this will be his first time experiencing the Peace Trek.
“I'm really excited to be doing this together with Robert at the MHV," Sawatzky says. “We’re both out for the betterment of the Steinbach community, in different ways, in terms of heritage but also mental health. It’s a really good connection, we’re both important cornerstones of many in the Steinbach area, and it’s good for us to partner again as it’s been good so far.”
Goertzen notes this is a peer-to-peer fundraising event.
“The expectation is that the people interested in supporting us also have a lot of friends and relatives and neighbours who would also be interested but may not be aware of it. And so it's just a way of spreading the news and giving opportunity to more people to be supportive of our two organizations,” he explains.
What will the funds be used for?
“It's going to go to the [Eden] foundation directly in support of our annual grants to all the programs,” says Sawatzky.
Meanwhile, Goertzen says the MHV has a number of projects to complete.
“There are so many things that we try to accomplish every year that we don't have specific goals in mind or designated areas [for these funds], but anyone who's been on our grounds has seen that maintenance of this large 40-acre site takes a lot of work. And we've got a fantastic staff who look after that. So, looking after the maintenance of that equipment and staffing, and then as well, we've got 35 heritage buildings that are made of wood and wood doesn't last forever, so that requires a lot of maintenance as well.”
Referring to the ride, Goertzen notes that over the years they've also had a number of people take their e-bikes.
"So, it's not only cyclists who are doing all the work, but it could be a shared responsibility between your electronic bike as well as your own pedal force. So yeah, I'd say it's a really accessible ride."
Goertzen adds that there is still time to register to be part of the ride or donate to a rider. Click the link for more details.
So, if you're interested in spending the morning on your bike or perhaps you'd like to join them at one of the stops along the trail, or cheer on the riders, there are many opportunities to get involved.
-With files from Adi Loewen.