The 16th annual Portage District Hospital Foundation gala dinner and auction was held this evening at the William Glesby Centre in Portage La Prairie. The gala was a sold out event and PDHF Executive Director Erin Miller estimated around 100 000 dollars would be raised by the end of the evening.

Executive Director Erin MillerMiller comments on the support the foundation receives from the community.

"Our community supports the Portage Hospital Foundation like crazy. It is an honour to plan something like this where so many people come out and support our local hospital. Every single person makes a difference. We have so many prizes, so many volunteers, people [are] coming, people [are] happy; it's great! And everyone comes together to do some really great work."

There were several local doctors attending the event and Dr. Ken Parker spoke to what the community's support means to the foundation.

Dr. Ken Parker (right) and his wife Kari (left)

"It's fantastic. Every year is a sell-out, everybody shows their support for the foundation both by participating [in the gala] as well as financially there's always great support. It just shows how much that the foundation means to the community."

Parker notes the Hospital Foundation plays a huge role in all the services the hospital is able to provide to the community.