The Chief Executive Officer for HavenGroup Foundation says clearly people in Steinbach and area have a heart to take care of their own.

David Driedger made that comment following the Foundation's annual fundraising dessert evening. Driedger says more than three hundred people came out and by the end of the night nearly

(HavenGroup Foundation Board Chair Abe Bergen speaks at fundraising evening)$100,000 had been raised.

Driedger says the Foundation has two key projects this year. The first one will see exterior renovations completed at Parkview Apartments. These apartments were constructed in the 1960's and provide low income housing to seniors. The project's intent is to have a more energy efficient building envelope complete with a more modern up to date look to its exterior.

The second project will see a Combi-Oven purchased for Rest Haven. The Combi-Oven facilitates multiple cooking modes, calculates compartment humidity levels and performs oven diagnostic chores.

(D'Friesens perform at fundraiser)Driedger says the two projects combined will cost about $125,000. He notes there has been very generous support from the community, resulting in between $20,000-$25,000 more being collected this year than last year. Projects last year included upgrades to the courtyard at Rest Haven as well as the replacement of blinds and curtains at that facility.

"All I can say is we have a generous population who really cares about their own," says Driedger. "The community looks at all these different sectors, both locally and beyond and just says we're there, we've been blessed and we bless others because of it."

The goal is to complete both projects in 2016.

(Photos credit: HavenGroup)