The 2016 Mardi Gras Gala fundraiser for the Colley Senior Complex on Saturday night was deemed a great success with about 500 people in attendance.

They came wearing purple, green and gold. They came wearing beads, boas, capes and masks. They came wearing tuxedos and ballroom gowns, Levi’s and fashion tights.

And, to a one, they came to have a good time, said Catherine Jordan, Colley Senior Complex director. “From the minute the doors opened until they closed, everyone was having a good time. Mardi Gras is a gala time. There’s so much history and tradition associated with it and the gala has become a tradition here in Pike County. People look forward to the Mardi Gras Gala every year.”

Jordan said, this year, people jumped on board early in support of the gala.

“By the first two weeks in January, most of the tables and sponsorships had been sold,” she said. “That made planning easier for us because we knew we would have a capacity crowd.”

Jordan said the annual gala is a good will event.

“It’s people helping people,” she said. “And, too, the community comes together in one accord. It’s community based. It’s diverse. It’s a wonderful community event.”

Jordan expressed appreciation to the Troy Senior Foundation members for their dedication and hard work, to the City of Troy and the Pike County Commission for their support, to all of the volunteers and to all who came in support of the event.

The dollars and cents success of the 2016 Mardi Gras Gala has yet to be determined. “We still have bills to pay – catering expenses, different rental fees and miscellaneous expenses,” Jordan said. “Although we had one of the biggest crowds ever, I’m not sure that we’ll reach the $40,000 total from last year’s gala.”

Jordan said the biggest boost to the complex’s coffer comes, not from the gala, but from the ticket sales for the jeep drawdown.

“We had a great jeep, but this year we didn’t sell all of the tickets,” she said. “That will make some difference in the total.”

However, Jordan said the funds raised will greatly benefit the senior population in and around Troy.

“At the Colley Senior Complex we have more than 40 programs that are tailor made for senior adults,” Jordan said. “We have arts programs, healthy living programs, one-on-one computer classes, exercise classes. We play board games – bridge, Cadillac and Mexican Train dominoes. We have Saturday night dances and day-trips and overnight trips. We have something for every senior and every senior is invited to join us for fun, learning and fellowship. For more information about the Colley Senior Complex, visit the senior center on Elm Street in Troy or call 334-808-8500.