The heads of Shoppers Drug Mart in Winkler presented the Eden Foundation with a cheque for $2,300 and change Tuesday morning in support of the foundation's Community Choices program.

"Our target was $1,800, and we did well above. It was a new program. It was a great response from the community," said Zahid Zehri, owner of the Winkler Shoppers Drug Mart.

"[Community Choices] has attracted us because it's a local charity, it's helping the local women's health programs, and especially for the mental illness," said Zehri.

In late September, the "Shoppers Love You" fundraiser began, and continued into the middle of October. Paper birds, leaves, apples, etc. could be purchased and added to the "Tree Of Life" which was a collection of all the donated paper shapes throughout the initiative.

"It was such a great campaign," said Eden Health Care Services housing and supports coordinator, Mackenzie Hiebert. "We're helping people directly affected with their mental health."

About 90% of the people participating in the Community Choices exercise options are female, though more men attend The Muscle Hut.

"It's been found that physical exercise is a significant contributor to improvement of mental health," said Earl Reimer, director of development with Eden Foundation.

"This contribution by [Shoppers Drug Mart] is a direct benefit that flows right back to the people who are dealing with mental health issues; it's a significant benefit that we receive," said Reimer.

Community Choices has been running in the community since 1991, but in early summer this year, three exercise options were added to the program: yoga, aquacise, and strength training. The program is aimed to help people dealing with mental illness get involved with other people, since isolation is a frequent problem associated with mental illness. The new exercise options fulfill both the need for activity and social interaction.

People living with mental health issues can join Community Choices Monday to Friday afternoons at the Enns Court apartments on Pembina Ave. in Winkler.