The Optimist Club gala in October was one of a number of successful fundraising events held this year, due largely to the fact crowds could return. (Derek Craddock/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Celebrating community

Year in Review: Return to in-person events

Dec 25, 2022 | 8:00 AM

As 2022 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

For many local community groups and non-profit organizations, 2022 represented a return to in-person fundraising events.

The annual Give a Little Life Day, a fundraiser for the Victoria Hospital Foundation, was held earlier this month and was able to raise over $239,000.

The 12-hour radiothon was hosted by Mann Northway GM, and throughout the day a number of people from different walks of life came down to the business, to share their personal stories.

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October’s Optimist gala raised over $74,000 for the Saskatchewan Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event was held at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre and attracted hundreds of people.

The gala included a diamond dig, raffle and both a silent and live auction. Among the more popular and tastier items were specialty made cakes that raised over $16,000.

Accompanied by his mother, seven-year-old Keaton Constant strikes a pose at the Optimist gala. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Spin S2DIO Owner Dez Hesson and local KidSport Committee member Dwight Bergstrom teamed up this year for a good cause, raising over $10,000. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Also in October was the Kyla Art group’s annual Show and Sale at Plaza 88, and marked the first time in three years people could attend the event in person. Coordinator Kim Morrall was excited for a big turnout.

“It used to be sort of a premiere event in Prince Albert and we would run out of tickets,” she said.

There was no shortage of shimmers or smiles during a special fundraiser at Elk Ridge Resort for a Prince Albert preschool.

The Diamonds and Pearls event, a fundraiser for L’Ecole Des Petits included an auction, dinner, games and a dance. Board Past President Shelby Lysitza noted the fact they have not had an in-person event since before the pandemic.

“We haven’t been together in the last three years so it’s nice to be in an environment where we can be together and hang out and support such a great cause,” she said.

Also of note this year was that local high schools were able to have large in-person ceremonies.

Roughly 1,500 people packed inside the CPAC gym at Carlton Comprehensive High School for this year’s grad ceremony, an accomplishment that may have seemed unfathomable just two short years ago.

Principal Jeff Court stated the day was a day of feelings including accomplishment, apprehension, joy, pride, a fear of the unknown, and for some even a little relief.

“All of these feelings are viable and true and you have lived them. So I ask that you make sure you enjoy them as today is a day of celebration and reflection,” he said.

The St. Mary graduation was held at the Art Hauser centre. School Principal Mark Phaneuf reminded the students how their high school experience was far from the one their parents would have had.

“Every other school in the rest of the world should have been so lucky to have the student leaders we did. You modelled calm, love, grace and most importantly you did it together,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell