The General Manager of Ste. Anne Co-op says it is the largest donation in the history of the Co-op.

Henry Nickel is referring to their $500,000 pledge to the Bethesda Foundation. The contribution will assist the Foundation in its efforts to construct Bethesda Primary Care Centre in Steinbach, assist with the addition of more personal care beds in Steinbach and improve the surgical department at Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

Nickel says this falls in line with the mission of Ste. Anne Co-op. He says Bethesda serves the entire southeast, which is where most of their Co-op members reside.

"We all have the need to use health care facilities in our region and if not, it's a high probability that we will in the future," says Nickel. "So the board felt this being a very appropriate donation on behalf of our members to Bethesda Foundation."

"It is an honour to give back to our community," says Co-op President Menno Plett. "The Bethesda Foundation Board has done a tremendous job and has worked tirelessly to raise funds and continue building our Health Care Services here in Steinbach, which really is the hub for Southeastern Manitoba."

The $12 million Bethesda Primary Care Centre is scheduled for completion in August, 2017.

"This donation from Ste. Anne Co-op exemplifies the community support we need to allow these projects to become a reality," says Garth Reimer, Chair of Bethesda Foundation. "This leadership pledge will have a large impact. On behalf of the Foundation, I'd like to thank the Ste. Anne Co-op for its community vision."

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