Altona Police Service and Altona Rhineland Emergency Services (ARES) are joining together to host the Altona Emergency Services Ball November 16th at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre. The money raised will support Special Olympics Manitoba athletes. CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Host, and Special Olympics Manitoba 10-pin bowling coach, Chris Sumner will be MCing the evening.
"In the past, each department has done their own events, and this year we just thought we would combine it, and make it a bigger and better event," said Special Constable Julie Seniuk while she was in studio.
Special relationship between emergency services and Special Olympics athletes
"I have seen that first hand," said Seniuk. "I am a local Special Olympics coach for the Altona Panthers. Annually, we have a basketball tournament that has turned into quite community event. We are excited to host the Altona Police, and also the Altona Panthers meet with the Altona Fire Service, and we have a great night playing games with them. Definitely a special bond that we have with with our athletes."
And that bond is strong between the athletes and also the volunteers who run the programs.
"There's just such a camaraderie amongst the athletes, they will cheer each other on as if it's their own race," she shared while also reflecting on the positivity you find every week at Club. "You can have the worst day, and then go to Monday night Special Olympics, and your day will 100% be turned around."
Tickets on sale now
The evening will be a formal event, and Seniuk said with a smile we should come prepared to have a great time.
"We have a great live band that's going to be performing for us, they're called Almost Famous," she said. " 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, with the deadline to buy tickets November 8th.
"I am most looking forward to having a great night, that band is amazing, and I'm sure they won't disappoint," added Seniuk. "We're going to dance our feet off."
You can listen to the entire conversation between Julie Seniuk and Chris Sumner, below.