Youth Dynamics auction to have a ’50s twist

MOSES LAKE — It’s time to dust off the poodle skirts and penny loafers. The theme for the annual benefit auction for Christian outreach Youth Dynamics is “Twist & Shout for Youth,” bringing a 1950s vibe, said YD Director Sean Sallis. 

“It’s like a sock hop,” Sallis said. “People like the idea of having something to dress up for and have a good time. Firehouse BBQ will be there. They’re doing quarter-pound hamburgers and bacon mac and cheese and potato salad, kind of like a ’50s meal.” 

Sallis said last year’s auction drew about 180 people, and he’s shooting for 240 this year, 30 tables of eight. PIC HAPPY Photo Booth will commemorate the event for the attendees. Last year’s event was held in the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, but that didn’t leave enough space for this year’s event, so it’s moved to the Commercial Building.  

Part of the reason for needing a larger space is that the Moses Lake Classic Car Club will bring some classic vehicles to show at the auction. In keeping with the 50s theme, one will be a 1957 Bel Air owned by Jackie and Larrie Chmela. There will also be a 1930 Ford Model A owned by Glenda and Bill Anderson and a 1967 Corvette Stingray belonging to Candy and Dennis Jackson. Robins and his wife Ann will bring their 2005 Chevrolet SSR-LS Retro Car. 

The car club has been a longtime contributor to Youth Dynamics, Robins said, and bringing classic cars to the auction seemed like an additional way to contribute.  

“Our thing is to come alongside any community event and bring our product,” Robins said. Our product is our cars. Cars bring people, people bring money, people bring fun, people bring community.” 

Last year’s auction raised about $35,000, Sallis said, and he’s hoping for $60,000 this year. The money goes to operate the Youth Dynamics clubhouse in downtown Moses Lake, where the club holds Connect Nights and other youth events, and where young people can go to play video games, do their homework, have a meal and even wash their clothes in a safe, friendly environment. 

The money also helps pay for outdoor adventures. This year, the students will be taking a four-day rafting trip on the Deschutes River in Oregon, and an inflatable kayak trip to the Metaline River in northeastern Washington. The scholarships paid for through the auction ensure that youth can participate even if their families can’t swing the cost. 

“The relationships that we build with kids throughout the school year, at Connect Night, those relationships are going to grow and they’re gong to develop,” Sallis said. “But when you get a kid out on a river trip like that, it expedites that relationship greatly.” 

After the auction, there will be a paddle raise to pay for an Italian soda bar in the YD building, Sallis said. Youth Dynamics received part of the cost of that in a grant from the Lauzier Foundation, he said, but another $15,000 is still needed to start building. 

“It'll give us a space to provide kids a drink,” Sallis said. “If a youth pastor wants to come in with a student, they can make a drink and hang out in kind of a cool little spot in the corner.” 

Twist & Shout for Youth 

Moses Lake 

Grant County Fairgrounds Commercial Building 

Oct. 18 

Silent auction 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and live auction 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets: https://bit.ly/YDAuction25 

    Youth Dynamics participants prepare to rappel down a cliff in the Columbia Gorge on an outdoor trip last year. The money raised at the auction Oct. 18 helps pay for students who can’t otherwise afford to participate in rock climbing, river rafting and other outdoor adventures.
  

    Teens listen to a presentation at the Youth Dynamics building in Moses Lake. The club provides a safe place to hang out, play video games and get a meal.