Auction raises funds for Youth Dynamics

Stilly Valley Youth Dynamics held their annual fundraiser dinner and auction on March 7 to help fund their services for local children.

The local nonprofit faith organization runs drop-in centers in Stanwood and Arlington that help provide community for youth.

"This is our annual fundraiser that raises pretty much all of our money that helps keep all of our drop-in centers running and sends kids on trips," said Jessica Ronhaar, the Stilly Valley Youth Dynamics director.

"It helps keep the Spot and the Mud Hut open," which are the organization's centers in Arlington and Stanwood.

Those students who cannot afford the trips are sometimes given scholarships for the organization's trips and the fundraiser helps provide money for those as well, said Ronhaar.

"All that money comes together at this event," she said.

A number of items are offered at the auction including a horseback riding trip and Seattle Sounders tickets among other items.

Dinner was provided by the Arlington High School Culinary Department.

Ronhaar said that extra precautions were taken this year because of the COVID-19 virus, also known as the new coronavirus, and the number of people who gathered for the event.

"We have hand sanitizer out, we made sure there is extra soap and we wiped everything down," said Ronhaar.

A number of people said they were there to support the local organization.

Local Derek Drube said he thinks it's a good cause.

"We have had friends that have done Youth Dynamics," said Drube. "We all came here to support the community."

Levi Gott, is a student and volunteer for Youth Dynamics who said a trip down to Portland with the organization helped teach him about the value of service.

Along with many others he helped provide services to homeless individuals.

"I got to wash people's feet, which I was not excited about at first," said Gott. "I was a little outside of my comfort zone."

The trip taught him about the value of helping others though.

"I got to know people, their situations, where they came from, and I really enjoyed myself although I didn't tell myself that at the time," said Gott.

"Before that I would do something and I would hope for something in return. Now I learned through that experience you don't have to get something in return to have a good feeling from service," he said.

Parent Robin Price agreed that her son also took a lot away from that trip to Portland.

"I remember getting a call from Portland and could just hear the spirit in his voice," she said. "When he came home from that trip he was different, he had found a purpose."

Price said that the organization provides a lot of service to the community.

"YD provided an incredibly important and safe alternative as a place for fun, building relationships and to learn about God," she said.

More information about Youth Dynamics is available at yd.org.