Patty Olexin-Lang was lost for words when first asked how last weekendSA国际影视传媒檚 gala went for the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation. After a moment, she answered.

SA国际影视传媒淓verybody was, for lack of a better word, blown away and ecstatic and happy and partied,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he whole night was unforgettable.SA国际影视传媒�

The gala took place in the Explorer Hotel, the first one for the hospital in whatSA国际影视传媒檚 been about four years, said Olexin-Lang, executive director of the foundation.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also a fundraising event, where the proceeds raised go to support equipment purchases at the Stanton Territorial Hospital, she added.

Between live music from the Edmonton group, Five On The Side, and plenty of good company, Olexin-Lang said that small businesses in Yellowknife, still feeling the impact of a COVID pandemic and evacuations, were important contributors to last weekendSA国际影视传媒檚 fundraising.

Together, they donated more than 150 items totaling more than $48,000 in value.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was unbelievable,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 still no total of what theySA国际影视传媒檝e made yet, but itSA国际影视传媒檒l sure make a dent in covering StantonSA国际影视传媒檚 cost for new equipment, Olexin-Lang said. In fact, the gala saw more money come in than she was expecting.

SA国际影视传媒淭he generosity in this town left us speechless,SA国际影视传媒� said Olexin-Lang. SA国际影视传媒淚 just sat there in amazement at the bidding wars that were going on.SA国际影视传媒�

In a packed house of more than 280 people, and money seeming to fly through the room, it was all done in the theme of The Great Gatsby.

Between Gatsby-themed backdrops, drinks and live auction boards, one thing Olexin-Lang emphasized was how well everyone dressed the part.

SA国际影视传媒�95 per cent of the women had Gatsby attire on,SA国际影视传媒� she said, adding that there were a good handful of guys that came in Gatsby attire as well.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was the roaring 20SA国际影视传媒檚 in the Gatsby era, and what are we in now?SA国际影视传媒� Olexin-Lang asked rhetorically. SA国际影视传媒淭he 20SA国际影视传媒檚 so far have been roaring.SA国际影视传媒�

Raising money is the main goal for this event, Olexin-Lang explained, but for this one especially, there comes a vital social aspect also.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople needed to get out and do this,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

The last gala for the Stanton foundation was in 2019 and February 2020 was the last Gala for the Yellowknife Community Foundation. By march of that year, Covid-19 had shut them both down.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 made the demand for another one strong.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to advertise at all,SA国际影视传媒� Olexin-Lang said enthusiastically. SA国际影视传媒淪o many people were so positive about coming out to it and wanting to share and celebrate the foundation.SA国际影视传媒�

Olexin-Lang also gave a massive thank you to all of her sponsors. She highlighted a cheque presentation from the CIBC Run for Our Lives Committee for the purchase of a new 3D mammography machine for breast imaging for the Stanton hospital.

Olexin-Lang said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 already looking to book another gala for next year - tentatively next February - and will try and make room for more guests. Until then, sheSA国际影视传媒檒l have to ride the high of this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 reemergence.

SA国际影视传媒淭here were people on the dance floor from the first note to the last.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒擝y Devon Tredinnick