‘This opens up a whole new chapter in my life’: Brockville community rallies to surprise longtime theatre member with life-changing gift

For years, Patricia “Pat” Alexander has quietly worked behind the scenes to help bring Brockville’s community theatre productions to life, organizing thousands of costumes and props, sewing wardrobe pieces and making sure every production has exactly what it needs.

On Monday, June 29, 2026, it was Alexander who found herself centre stage, as dozens of friends, family and community members surprised her with a used vehicle purchased through a secret fundraising campaign—a gesture of gratitude that she says has “changed my life completely.”

Alexander, affectionately known as the “keeper of the Keep” by members of the Brockville Operatic Society and Brockville Theatre Guild, was honoured during what she believed was the grand reopening of the historic James Ross Ltd. building.

Instead, she walked into a room filled with familiar faces who were actually gathered to celebrate her years of dedication.

“I think I’m still in shock,” Alexander told Brockvilleist. “What an overwhelming gift to receive from just such a group of amazing friends. Every time I think about it, I start to cry. It was just an amazing gift.”

The surprise followed a grassroots community fundraising effort launched after Alexander’s aging vehicle failed its safety inspection last winter. She was unable to purchase a new car, leaving her without reliable transportation.

Anita Mortsch, who spearheaded the GoFundMe campaign, said the loss of Alexander’s car made every day life increasingly difficult for her while also threatening her ability to continue volunteering with the theatre organizations she has faithfully served for years.

In an interview with Brockvilleist the day after the big surprise, Alexander shared that her journey with the Brockville theatre world spans decades.

She began as a performer before illness forced her to step away from acting. After recovering enough to return following the pandemic, she accepted a request to help with wardrobe for a concert production. That role quickly expanded into becoming one of the city’s most valued volunteers.

“I primarily work on props for all the productions and some wardrobe as well,” she explained. “The area where we store all the costumes and props is called the Keep, so I keep that organized. I’ve inventoried all of the props so people can find them easily.”

Beyond theatre, Alexander has devoted countless hours volunteering through her church and supporting her adopted adult daughter, leaving little opportunity to save funds for another vehicle.

Behind the scenes of her volunteer service, however, she has been on a difficult personal journey.

Alexander said her unprecedented financial struggles began about 15 years ago and worsened after leaving an unhealthy marriage nearly a decade ago.

“I had to really fight very hard to keep afloat,” she told Brockvilleist. “I had to leave, and I walked out without anything, basically other than a few pieces of furniture my mother had left me.”

Alexander said that purchasing another vehicle simply wasn’t financially possible.

It didn’t take long for the Brockville community to rally together and the fundraiser quickly surpassed its original $5,000 goal, allowing organizers not only to purchase a dependable used vehicle but also to surprise Alexander with a pair of summer and winter tires.

The elaborate surprise was orchestrated by fellow theatre members, who invited Alexander to what she believed was a tour of the newly renovated James Ross building.

When Alexander saw her daughter standing there among the crowd, she knew something else was going on.

“Anita said, ‘It’s not really the grand reopening… this is a celebration of you,'” Alexander recounted. “I looked at her and said, ‘I haven’t done anything. It’s not my birthday.'”

Moments later, the crowd was led outside, where Alexander was presented with her newly purchased vehicle—already affectionately nicknamed the “Patmobile.”

While Alexander has spent years helping others in the community, she admits the outpouring of appreciation was overwhelming.

“I just can’t believe there’s such generosity,” she told Brockvilleist. “I wouldn’t say that anything I’ve done has been over and above what somebody else would do. I’m asked to do a job, and I do it. To get that love and appreciation back… I would never take it for granted.”

With family living in Ottawa, Alexander said this new vehicle will allow her to reconnect with loved ones more often while restoring a level of independence and freedom she hasn’t experienced in years.

“This opens up a whole new chapter in my life,” she shared. “Being able to be spontaneous… it’s just changed my life completely.”

Alexander said she hopes the story also serves as a reminder that acts of kindness and generosity continue to thrive within the Brockville community.

“We hear a lot of negative stories,” she said. “But there are still many, many generous people here.