Altona Police Service and Altona Rhineland Emergency Services (ARES) are joining forces to host the Altona Emergency Services Ball Nov. 16 at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre. The money raised will support Special Olympics Manitoba athletes.
Special Constable Julie Seniuk is organizing this year’s event.
“In the past, each department has done their own events, and this year we just thought we would combine them and make it bigger and better,” she said.
Seniuk says along with supporting the provincial organization, funds raised at the event will trickle down to support Altona’s Special Olympics team, the Altona Panthers, as well.
As a team coach, she sees the value of the program at every Monday meeting.
“We just started for the year and had our first meeting last week. That night, we celebrated the award that one of our athletes, Brenda Klassen, received from Special Olympics Manitoba. She got to choose the evening’s activity, and she chose the parachute, where do a bunch of different group games using the parachute. Everyone loves parachute night.”
Seniuk adds, “Getting together and cheering each other on is definitely a big benefit to the program. Volunteering with the team really inspires me. I love seeing their camaraderie. They have such a great friendship amongst them. When they cheer for each other, it’s like they’re running their own race. There’s no one they support more than each other.”
She notes that ARES has developed a strong bond with the Panthers through the years.
“The team challenges the Altona Police to an annual basketball tournament every year. This has turned from just an ordinary basketball game to a big community event. There were a lot of supporters there this year.
“The Altona Fire Department also spends time with the team, which is usually a game night that is focused on firefighters. We had a game where you had to unroll a roll of toilet paper as if you were unrolling a fire hose. It’s just a fun evening for both fire and police to build relationships. I know the athletes and coaches look forward to those evenings where we can have the different organizations join us. There is definitely a special bond that we have with our athletes.”
Seniuk says ARES and the Panthers are looking forward to the Altona Emergency Services Ball.
The evening will be a formal event, and guests should come prepared to have a great time.
“It’s such a good fundraiser. We have a great live band that’s going to be performing for us, they’re called Almost Famous,” she said. “They’ve performed in Altona before, for previous fire balls. They cover a wide range of artists and are always very well received.”
She adds, “We have a great caterer with an amazing menu planned, and we also have a silent auction as well.”
Tickets are $80 each and can be purchased during regular business hours at the Altona Police Service administration office. The deadline to get a ticket is Nov. 8.
“Ticket sales are going very well,”Seniuk shares. “It’s going to be a fun evening.”
