Pat Porter celebrates with annual gala

The Pat Porter Active Living Centre is a thriving hub of activity, something that was on display and apparent to all guests at the annual gala held March 13.

A full house gathered to learn about the success and challenges of the facility and enjoy the music of Don Amero.

Pat Porter Active Living Centre executive director Audrey Harder shared the numbers with the crowd.

In 2025, their meal program served 12,333 meals.

They had 689 members last year and have signed up 560 so far this year.

Program attendance for 2025 totaled 38,562.

Currently Southern Health supplies 22 percent of their budget while the City of Steinbach funds the accessible transit program. The remaining funding comes from rentals, program fees, fundraising and donations.

That need for funds makes events like this essential, Harder said.

“This annual fundraising banquet is the single most important fundraising event of the year for Pat Porter Active Living Centre,” she said. “Without the community coming together to support us, we don’t’ exist.”

Harder said it’s great to see the variety of people that support the centre including politicians, neighbours, friends, family and members.

“Our goal is to fight loneliness and the stigma of aging and the best way to do this was by having an event that reminds us of what it is like to have fun, celebrate with old friends and make new friends,” she said. “The whole evening, I saw smiles, hugs and people having fun. I feel like we had a successful evening.”

Harder said the event raised close to $30,000, although final numbers weren’t yet available.

Speaking to attendees, Harder thanked volunteers, staff and members of the public for their support. But she added, it’s the members that make the centre what it is today.

“The passion of the members makes this the best place to be,” she said.