"It just shows how much the community cares about health care."

That was the reaction of John Peters after accepting a cheque for $1,263 on behalf of Bethesda Foundation, following a charity barbeque in downtown Steinbach Wednesday.

Peters is Executive Director of Bethesda Foundation. He says Wednesday's generosity proves the support from the community for the foundation.

"We're connecting the folks in the community with health care," explains Peters. "We're trying to make it better for everyone living here and we appreciate every dollar that's brought in."

Peters says the foundation has a number of projects on the go, which this money will be used towards. He says they are currently developing comfort baskets for those in palliative care.

"We've just committed to purchasing four palliative care pumps for the hospital to help people alleviate pain in their last days," he says.

The money will also go towards construction of Bethesda Primary Care Centre. The 29,477 square foot Centre is being built north of Loewen Boulevard. It is expected to open in August, 2017.

"Every dollar that's raised is used for health care right here in Steinbach," says Peters.