This past weekend the third annual Table for 600 Field of Hope event occurred at the Rotary Republic of Manitobah Park in Portage la Prairie.
The unique community dining experience was to raise funds for Central Plains Cancer Services. The community supported this cause by buying tables and decorating them to a specific theme. Once all of the tables were set up, the dining experience began.
Pam Mcgregor Tarr is a community member who helped get the Table for 600 started here in Portage la Prairie. She went to a similar event in Winnipeg with one of her friends, Della Cogar, and thought our community would be the perfect place to host this event. She notes that every year more and more proceeds come in to support such a great cause, and she could not be more thankful for the local assistance in these trying times.
"This year, we're doing extra fundraising because of COVID-19. Central Plains Cancer Care hasn't been able to have many of their fundraisers, and they need money to do their driving program, their children's programs, and keep up with all the support they give."
Tanner Waldvogel, one of the guests, was a member of the League of Their Own group who dressed up as the Rockford Peaches and won the best-decorated table. Waldvogel notes that he couldn't be happier to put some money towards a fantastic cause.
"It's a good fundraiser, everybody has somebody who cancer has affected, and we're looking forward to having a good time raising some money."
He adds that he is proud to be part of a community with so much support.
"It's great, I mean, it shows that everybody wants to do their part and contribute. That's what Portage is all about. We have all kinds of stuff like this, and it never fails. Everybody always shows up."
This year's event may have just finished, but they have already started to plan for the next Table for 600 in 2024.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated the next event would be in 2023.