The Portage District General Hospital Foundation held its fundraising gala last Friday. Amid COVID restrictions to allow an in-person event, the results were fantastic.

Executive director Tara Pettinger shares what happened.

"You could certainly feel the energy and the excitement right from the get-go when the doors opened, about people being able to be together again and at an event, " says Pettinger. "Just the buzz at the tables as you walked around and people visiting, you could just feel such an energy and excitement in the room."

She shares the impact of how much financial support came in for the hospital.

"It was absolutely unreal, actually," continues Pettinger. "Standing there, hearing the auction going, people's readiness to support, and we really wanted to make the night about a celebration at the beginning of the night. We did, kind of as a surprise, a big champagne toast at all the tables, and just really wanted to celebrate, not only the fact that there we were, together again, and able to have an event, also celebrating all the health care workers in our community for all that they've done and the things that they continue to face. Then, obviously, the announcement of the new hospital."

Pettinger notes it really brought awareness to the greatness of the cause.

"There are some really exciting things happening in our community. Those people in the room during the live auction and silent auction, and those that bought rainbow auction tickets, really stepped up and were so incredibly generous," adds Pettinger. "So, that just kind of reinforces for us the need for this new hospital in our community and how ready we are."

She notes, despite the pandemic with struggles to raise funds, there were some great ideas put into effect including the 50/50 draw.

"Obviously, in the last 18 months prior to this, we needed to get a little bit creative, and that kickoff for the Southern Health-Santé Sud Workplace 50/50 was good timing for us," says Pettinger. "It was something we could do. But we did a couple of cash calendars during those shutdown periods. Being able to do this again, it's just so incredibly huge seeing people face-to-face having this opportunity to get involved and really see their money go to work."

Pettinger says notes they're looking forward to the next five years as they move toward the new hospital with more events to bring in the great support Portage is known to provide.

She describes the big travel draw that took place as well.

"We do it as an elimination draw and that was exciting," adds Pettinger. "It kind of keeps everybody in the room on the edge of their seats, and I'm sure those that weren't in attendance but were at home were sitting by their phone awaiting the call. Debbie Hodgins was the lucky one that got that winning phone call. I'll be touching base with her again today just to find out which prize she's chosen."