Shoppers Drug Mart in Winkler is helping Eden Health Care Services fundraise for the organization's community choices program which helps people with mental disabilities be active in Morden and Winkler.

The program runs in the afternoon from Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Enns court apartments and emphasizes positive mental health through exercise, art, education, and volunteering.

"[We're] really getting out and about in Winkler and Morden to try and have community integration," said Mackenzie Hiebert, housing and supports coordinator for Eden Health Care Services.

This past weekend, staff and participants planted a table at the entrance to the store to answer any questions people may have, and to encourage donations. People can purchase a cut-out bird, leaf, apple, etc and have it added to a mural on the outside window of the store nicknamed, the Tree of Love. The money raised during the four-week campaign at the store will go directly into the program.

"It's been a great help for my mental health," said Scott Sitompul, who has been participating in the program for the past few years.

"It's gotten me out of my apartment many time to do lots of fun things that I thought I would never do. My anxiety does go down when I'm there, and they give me lots of advice in how to deal with it if it comes back," Sitompul said, Sitompul noted he enjoyed visiting the Altona gallery in the park this year to observe the sculptures on display.

The fundraiser started on Sept. 10 and lasts for four weeks. A bake sale will be held at the store this coming weekend.

Zahid Zehri is the associate owner of the Winkler Shoppers Drug Mart. He chose to support Eden because he sees the mental health issues people face in the community and wanted to help provide a solution.

"Every weekend we try to do some event to invite the community in," said Zehri

The corporate office suggested setting a goal of $1,800, but Zehri believed that could be beaten.

"We have set our own at the store level," he said, "We have set it higher: $3,000 to $4,000 is what I'm expecting."

In the first week alone, one third of the target amount was raised.