City of La Porte’s Picnic Under the Stars recognizes and raises funds for La Porte City Park Foundation

On Friday, November 21, the weekend kicked off with the magic of shooting stars at the City of La Porte’s Picnic Under the Stars. This event was held at the La Porte Civic Auditorium and served as a way to spotlight and raise funds for the La Porte City Park Foundation.

Emily Archambault, liaison of the La Porte City Park Foundation, believes this gathering helps create opportunities for the community to network while supporting the foundation at the same time.

“Picnic Under the Stars is about having a great time while supporting our parks,” Archambault said. “All the revenue from this fundraising gala will go directly to our parks. It’s also a fun time for people to get together before the holidays for one last date night before the chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas ensues.”

The event came into fruition when the community came together and decided to throw a party to recognize the parks while appreciating what it has taken to reach this point. 

“The parks have been here for every generation, so this fundraising celebration allows everyone to have fun and give generously for the future and support our children’s children,” Archambault said.

Guests were able to enjoy dinner and dessert from Downs Family Catering. Images were captured by Corvilla, a nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities in South Bend. Attendees also had a chance to leave with a maple-leaf ornament, dried bouquets, and check out Nest Number 4 Stone Lake-inspired candles, where 25% of the funds raised from it went back to the foundation. The event also included a silent auction, a photo booth, and items from businesses in the area.

“You’ll find amazing items from local businesses and cool experiences such as our Chicago and South Bend getaway,” Archambault said. “Whether you are from Chicago, South Bend, or somewhere in between, this gala has something for people of all ages.

According to Archambault, the main idea for this gala was to make it affordable so everyone could join in on Picnic Under the Stars. Prioritizing the community and treating the people of La Porte like a family is the ultimate goal of the La Porte City Park Foundation.

Jim Magnuson, president of the La Porte City Park Foundation, believes Picnic Under the Stars aligns perfectly with the mission of the foundation.

“The La Porte City Park Foundation was established in 1985 with a simple purpose to support the City of La Porte Parks and Recreation department by promoting, improving, and creating parks in the city limits,” Magnuson said. “We want to provide great parks for every generation. That is our tagline.”

The significance of the La Porte City Park Foundation cannot be understated. It’s the greatest way for children in this community to learn how to behave and for families to slow down and make memories together. 

“Our parks are where families in the community can find moments of peace, fun, and memory,” Magnuson said. “The improvements across our park system allows individuals to connect with nature and feel proud of the place they call home. We are investing in places where people feel welcome and where families can thrive. La Porte continues to shine as a city that values beauty, connection, and community.”

Even though the night sky was out for Picnic Under the Stars, that doesn’t dim the value that the shining stars in this community are bringing to the La Porte City Park Foundation. 

“At the end of the night, I get a little teary-eyed not just from seeing how much our auction brought in, but also by watching people reconnect with people they haven’t seen in years,” Archambault said. “Some of these people might have known each other since childhood, and all strong communities are built by people who choose to show up for one another.”

Live music was performed by Marriani Fleming, a contestant from season 21 of American Idol who is from South Bend, along with her band. A short video premiere and donation moment to emphasize the support of the parks was also presented during the gala.

For more information on the City of La Porte, you can visit  cityoflaporte.com.