![\"Promotional](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Resized.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\nThe\u00a0Pembina Counselling Centre (PCC)\u00a0is inviting the community to its annual spring fundraiser, this time featuring\u00a0\u201cWhen the Heart Trembles \u2013 A Testimonial\u201d,\u00a0on\u00a0Thursday, April 9th, at\u00a0Winkler MB Church. The event is free, with a freewill offering taken to support the centre\u2019s work helping local families navigate mental health challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A\u00a0story\u00a0worth sharing\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two years ago,16-year-old\u00a0Abishai Redekopp\u00a0suffered a heart attack while playing\u00a0in the schoolyard at\u00a0Emerado\u00a0School.\u00a0PCC Executive Director\u00a0Chris Derksen\u00a0explained that the event will not only be\u00a0covering the heart attack itself, but also the ongoing challenges the family faced.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFear can be debilitating\u2026 everyone in that family struggled with that afterwards,\u201d Derksen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He pointed out\u00a0the significance of having someone from the community share their personal journey,\u00a0\u201cWhen people come to Pembina Counselling Centre,\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0not volunteering when they conclude their\u00a0counseling\u00a0and saying, \u2018hey, sign me up to speak at your fundraiser.\u2019 We\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0solicit\u00a0that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A\u00a0message of\u00a0hope\u00a0<\/p>\n
Derksen\u00a0expects the\u00a0Redekopps\u2019\u00a0story\u00a0to resonate with parents, teens, and anyone facing anxiety or stress.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy and large, the most special thing that draws people out to a fundraiser is hearing a firsthand account of how they were helped, of how their lives were transformed.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that the event is meant to inspire hope and break down barriers around seeking help:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the parents who have anxiety about their children\u2026 this is going to be so powerful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
More stories:<\/p>\n
Supporting PCC\u2019s\u00a0mission\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the event is PCC\u2019s main fundraiser of the year, Derksen said the primary goal is spreading a message of hope. The organization provided\u00a0nearly 6,000\u00a0appointments last year, up from just over 2,000 when Derksen started seven years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are struggling\u2026 and we at Pembina Counselling Centre just want people to know, there\u2019s help for you. You\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to suffer alone.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Details\u00a0<\/p>\n