The 18th annual Eden Tractor Trek will raise funds and awareness for mental health services this Saturday, and the community is invited to come out to show their support.
“This is a long-standing event that’s well established in the community and beyond,” reflects Dave Sawatsky, Eden Foundation director of development, sharing that they had 40 tractors signed up as of last week and anticipate many more will join the parade by Saturday.
“In truth, it’s never too late to register,” he says. “You can show up on the day and we’ll find a place for you, or call us the day ahead and we can register you over the phone.”
For the first time, they’re welcoming tractors of all ages, not just the vintage wheels of years past. Organizers are also offering first-time trekkers a deal on registration: $75 versus the regular $135 entry fee.
“We love to have the vintage tractors—they are the foundation of this event and people love to see and hear them, so that’s always going to be a cornerstone of the event,” Sawatsky says. “But we wanted to remove as many barriers [to participation] as possible … and thought there’s people who want to participate, but they don’t have that vintage tractor. So bring whatever tractor you’ve got.”
The change has already yielded a number of new drivers eager to show off their rides alongside the many returning participants, some of whom have been supporters of this event from the beginning.
“There’s a great recognition of Eden in the community—they have heard about us and know about us, and they know the good work we are doing and are committed to,” Sawatsky says. “When I talk to people about Eden, most times they are only one step removed from a family member who has taken advantage of Eden’s services when they were in a time of crisis or a down time … it’s something that’s helped their aunt, their uncle, their sister, a very close relative within their lifetime. And so they connect to it on that level almost across the board.
“The community support for Eden has always been very strong, and we’re so thankful for that.”
Funds raised this weekend will go to support programs like Recovery of Hope, which offers counselling services on a sliding fee scale to ensure they’re accessible to everyone, and Segue Career Options, which helps people with barriers to employment find meaningful work.
Some of the funds will also go to Eden’s housing program and to the volunteer program at its acute care centre in Winkler, which has so many volunteers that a coordinator is needed on staff to organize them all.
“So there’s lots of good targets for the money that goes to the programs that are serving people right here in the community,” Sawatsky says.
Come join the fun
The participating tractors will be on display at the Eden Health Care Centre grounds at 1500 Pembina Ave. in Winkler from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Tractors Through the Ages Show & Shine in conjunction with a barbecue fundraiser hosted by Gardenland Co-op. Both events are open to the community at large. Lunch is by donation.
“Come and take a look at the tractors, take part in the barbecue, donate what you can,” Sawatsky says. “Talk to the drivers and owners—they love to talk about their tractors.”
Trekkers will then hop on their tractors at 1:15 p.m to embark on a route that will take them north up 15th St., east down Mountain Ave., south down 8th St., and then west out of town down Pembina Ave. all the way down Road 12N to Morden.
They’ll then head north up Road 28W to Hwy. 3, travelling on the shoulder down to Greenvalley Equipment for coffee around 2:45 p.m. before continuing on at 3:45 p.m. to pass through Chortitz and Schanzenfeld en route to heading back to Eden for supper and awards.
If you can’t make the trek, you can still support the cause by making a donation online at edenhealthcare.ca/events/eden-foundations-18th-annual-tractor-trek/.
That’s also the page to go for more Tractor Trek information, including the complete route map and registration details.
