(ABC 6 News) – In Austin, Paint the Town Pink has become a staple over the past decade, but tonight the series of events held to raise money for cancer research featured a first-of-its-kind event.

Tonight’s Black and Gold Gala was a way for the Austin Bruins to express their thanks for all the support, while serving as another way to come together with the community.

Since 2011, Paint the Rink Pink has been a huge part in the Austin community.

This inspired more fundraising events, which largely laid the groundwork for what would become Paint the Town Pink.

Now, the gala is carrying on the tradition.

“When they had this idea to have the black and gold gala and just kind of expand on that we were really excited, the community in Austin and beyond is so supportive of the work that we do at the Horner Institute and it’s just really exciting to see stuff like this happen,” Brenna Gerhart of the Hormel Institute’s development and external relations team said.

Dinner was served to those who came out and several speakers shared some words of gratitude.

Brian Raduenz, who is serving his first year as the Bruins’ owner, said tonight was an opportunity to connect with the community and learn more about this special tradition.

“I’m very proud to carry on the great thing that they set up with the Austin Bruins and support the institute on the things that they’re doing.”

All the money raised tonight goes to the Hormel Institute for breast cancer research.