Thursday marked Katie's Cottage, Southern Manitoba's first respite home, one year anniversary.

"The one year anniversary brings back emotions. You never think that your child will be the one to put together something like this," Ruth Reimer, Executive Officer for Katie Cares, says. "A 15-year girl who was sick herself, and very sick, had the idea. A community, and when I say community I mean all of Manitoba, rallied behind this project."

Creating a haven for people amidst the storm of a difficult health journey was the dream of Kaitlyn Reimer, who founded the charity Katie Cares before passing away in 2012.

Ruth Reimer Executive Officer for Katie Cares on the newly constructed walking path that connects BTHC and Katie's Cottage

Katie Cares provides care packages to children in hospital. bags. Inside each, recipients will find fun and comforting treasures like crossword puzzles, colouring books, markers and a teddy bear. On average, 400 care bags are given out in four hospitals, including Portage, Winkler/Morden, Carman and Altona.

However Kaitlyn, Ruth Reimer's daughter, envisioned a place where her family could stay while she received treatment at Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC) between Morden and Winkler.

The project was announced October 2014. In less than two years, communities from across Southern Manitoba and beyond helped raise nearly $600,000 for the project.

Over the last year, Katie's Cottage, located just across the street from BTHC, has housed over 600 people who just needed a cup of coffee, or a place to stay the night.

The cottage provides a place for anyone receiving care at BTHC, or their families, to find a quiet space to relax and recharge, or an affordable option for overnight stays

Katie Cares was recently brought to the attention of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU) during their yearly Board Retreat, and was chosen as the recipient for their annual fundraiser raffle.

MGEU recently presented a cheque to Katie Cares. The $780 will be put towards the Kaite's Cottage walkway and help complete the corner called Nature's Nook.

"The MGEU matches whatever monies the board itself makes on the raffles," says President of the MGEU Michelle Gawronsky. "Board Members then put forward places where the monies should go."

This year the MGEU supported three different charities. Katie Cares was chosen after Diana Schultz, Component Director for Technical Professionals, mentioned Katie's Cottage.

Gawronski says the board thought Katie Cares was a worthwhile cause and is very proud to be able to sponsor it.

The respite home opened August 2016