The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is highlighting the upcoming third annual A Night with STARS Gala, which will take place on May 28, 2026, at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg. The event serves as a fundraiser for STARS, a non-profit air ambulance organization that provides critical care and emergency medical transport across Manitoba.
STARS has become a vital resource for the province since establishing a permanent base in 2012, having completed more than 10,000 missions to date. The organization typically conducts about 800 missions in Manitoba annually, serving as a key link in emergency medical care for both rural and urban communities.
The gala offers an evening of dining and entertainment featuring the Big City All Stars Band, along with a silent auction and raffles. Tickets are available for $250 each, or $2,500 for a table of 10. The event follows a period of growth for the organization, which secured a 10-year funding agreement with the provincial government in July 2025. Additionally, in December 2025, the air ambulance service received a $3 million donation from Manitoba Blue Cross, which stands as the largest single gift the organization has received in the province.
As a charity, STARS relies heavily on support from the public to maintain its operations, with approximately 75 percent of its funding needs met through private donations. The Brandon Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest business organizations in the province, continues to support the service as part of its ongoing commitment to regional health and safety initiatives.
