The Albert Lea Senior Center soup and dessert fundraiser at the end of April proved to be a huge success, with attendance well over what organizers ever anticipated, Senior Center Director Paula Juveland said.

The fundraiser, held April 28, raised more than $4,000 and was an uplifting experience for all involved, Juveland said.

While attendees could buy a ticket for a dinner, they could also purchase items in a silent auction, rummage sale and bake sale.

“It brought people together to work together,” she said. “It focuses on new friendships. It’s wonderful.”

The dinner included either chili, wild rice, chicken noodle or hamburger soup, along with bread, crackers, coffee, water and dessert.

And people not only bought the dinner and purchased items, but they also donated money as well, Juveland noted. Throughout the night, she had people coming up to her giving her donations.

The Senior Center’s large room, which seats 175 people was steadily full throughout the night.

Juveland said she and the Senior Center’s board decided to host the fundraiser after hearing about possible local government aid cuts to the city from the state. As a result, the city will not be able to give the center as much monetary support.

All funds raised at the fundraiser will go toward helping keep the center open.

“The Senior Center’s a wonderful place for folks,” she said. “If it didn’t stay open, it would be a travesty.”

The director said she is constantly trying to think of new activities to help recruit more people, and so far the added activities been successful.

Some of the activities the Senior Center provides are bingo, pool, yoga, crafts and Ping-Pong, to name a few. The center also offers AARP driver safety classes, eye care, stress management classes and grief coping classes, among others.

Memberships are $30 for a full year.