The 12th annual Katie Cares Fashion Show broke new ground this year, blending intimacy, community connection and musical tribute in what organizer Ruth Reimer describes as “without a doubt our best one yet.”
Going back to grassroots
Reimer, executive director of Katie’s Cottage (and mother to Caitlin), said the board opted to scale back on spectacle in favour of a more personal, meaningful experience. They focused on “going back to our grassroots … keeping this fashion show a little more intimate, a little more connective with those guests that are in that room.”
Music, by an ensemble featuring Wes, Faye and Heather, opened the show, giving audiences “calming and soothing” sounds that “hit your soul.” Reimer said the goal was always to remain true to Caitlin’s vision: “Things that resonated with Caitlin … that's always the important thing for us is that we stay true to what she wanted.”
Two shows, same heart
For the first time, Katie Cares held both an afternoon matinee and an evening performance. While both shows followed the same structure of music, food, speeches and fashion, there were small differences: one show honoured Wendy Galligan of Ronald McDonald House, while the other included extra storytelling unique to that performance. The bands also differed; one leaning toward country, the other more rock.
Still, Reimer emphasized, the energy was the same in both rooms, “people were connected to us and we to them … celebrating life.”
Community support, auctions and raffles
Running concurrently with the shows was the Grunthal Auction online auction. While final numbers are still being tallied, Reimer said, “It looks very, very good … I think we did better than we did last year.” She also noted bidders came from as far as Kenora and northern Manitoba; people associated with Katie’s Cottage who couldn’t attend the event in person.
Raffles were another big draw: 36 prizes were offered at the evening show and 34 at the matinee. Reimer praised the community’s generosity: “We had a phenomenal, phenomenal raffle.”
Related stories:
- Katie Cares Online Auction makes its return for 2025
- 4th Annual Kaitlyn Marie Reimer Scholarship awarded to Cheyenne Thiessen
On attendance, Reimer said the shows sold out, with 611 tickets sold and two extra tables added in the evening to meet demand. She also mentioned special guests from the community, such as cadets, service members, Chief Ryan Hunt, and Legion member Jason Everett, who walked the runway and expressed a desire to return next year.
Opening doors for families
One of the most praised changes was offering the matinee, which allowed families with children, elders and those who avoid evening events to attend. Reimer said the matinee “opened up doors that we didn’t even … possibilities were” and praised how many moms, daughters, grandmas and grandpas could participate.
Attendees reportedly left smiling and energized, with “a lot of cheering and dancing”, rather than leaving heavy‑hearted. “Nobody left with... a heavy heart,” Reimer said.
Gratitude and what’s next
Reimer reserved her thanks for volunteers, sponsors, donation donors, and the community at large: “Overwhelmed … so thankful for your generosity.” She noted the matinee’s success and expressed willingness to try new things, even risks, in coming years.
She also acknowledged support from the Winkler Flyers, who assisted behind the scenes, and local Hutterite colonies that prefer anonymity but donated generously.
As Reimer put it, “The community came together … we sold out 611 bus tickets. … It overwhelmed us.”
Katie Cares hopes to release full financial numbers soon.
With files from Alexander Peters and Robyn Wiebe.
Mon, Sep 29, 5:00 PM
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