Rest Haven nursing home in Steinbach will be able to offer bike rides to its residents, beginning next summer.

Daily Life Coordinator Dave Thiessen says they raised enough money at a fundraiser on Friday to be able to purchase a Dutch Cargo Bike. He describes the bike as something similar to a Dickie Dee ice cream bike. But, instead of a freezer for carrying ice cream, it has a low platform with a ramp which can accommodate a wheelchair. And, in that way, residents can be given bike rides.

Thiessen says these bikes are not very common, and in fact, Rest Haven will order theirs from Europe. The hand built bikes cost about $4,000 US.

"That's going to be a special treat," says Thiessen. "It really helps us to facilitate also family time, something meaningful for families to do with their mom or dad or grandma or grandpa."

Thiessen says they hold fundraisers in order to make purchases that add value to the lives of residents at Rest Haven. In years past, fundraisers have helped purchase such things as special furniture and a swing set for their courtyard.

Friday's fundraiser was a drama presenting the story of Elizabeth Plett, who, through tragedy and triumph settled in Prairie Rose in 1919. The drama was based on a book by Betty Barkman, showing hardships of life in the early 1900's. Plett lost her husband and daughter the same night to typhoid fever. This left her to take care of her ten children alone.

Thiessen says they try to hold these Legacy Events annually. They tell the stories of the Mennonite heritage and the hope and faith of pioneers during times of hardship.

"How people were still able to remain faithful to their faith, faithful to their families," says Thiessen. "When all is said and done that somehow that the Lord is faithful and that that they can count on that, that they sort of have that hope to persevere."

Thiessen says more than two hundred people came out for last week's fundraiser. They were able to raise about $4,000, which he says will nearly cover the cost of the bike.