Youth Dinner Fundraiser

On April 29, in what has become an annual tradition, the Senior Youth hosted an elegant dinner.  This event was a fundraiser for the annual youth mission trip.  For the first time ever, the event was held in the parlor, which made decorating a lot easier but also required many more trips upstairs with full dishes and downstairs with empty ones.  In addition to the dinner, there was an auction of items contributed by members of the congregation and by local businesses.

The mission trip itself will be to Tucson, Arizona, where the youth and adult leaders will participate in the ministry of Humane Borders.  Humane Borders is a UCC-supported, faith-based organization responding to one of the great moral crises facing America today: the death of migrants crossing our southern border.  Over 1000 people have died in Arizona alone in the past five years.  In an effort to mitigate this humanitarian catastrophe, Humane Borders maintains water statins, distributes food and first-aid supplies, and assists migrants who need immediate medical attention.  Humane Borders runs a special program for visiting youth groups.  The program includes educational programs and age-appropriate service activities.

The elegant maitre-d checks a diner's reservation.  Do you think the guest is checking bidding strategy with a high-roller who couldn't attend?

Church members and guests mingle and chat while others in the background study the silent auction items.

Meanwhile the youth serve hors d'oeuvres.

There are lots of great items on the silent auction tables.

Soon we sit down to dinner while the youth serve.  In the background, Tom prepares for the live auction.

While the guests enjoy dinner, the youth are hard at work in the kitchen.  Don't those desserts look good?  (They were!)

Unlike most restaurants, child care was provided on premises.  Different age groups entertained themselves in different ways.

Time to clean up and get ready for the auction.  With the kitchen downstairs, it pays to maximize one's load on every trip.

Lots of dishes to wash!

The live auction has begun.  Tom needs help to display this item, a hand-knit afghan.

An enthusiastic bidder shows her number while others intently study the written descriptions.

Here's the crew who made it all possible.  Do you think they look a little tired?

Some final cleanup: making sure the candles are all out.