Twisting, shouting and giving

MOSES LAKE — Youth Dynamics’ auction Oct. 18 was a record-breaker.

“We had 245 people in attendance,” said Moses Youth Dynamics Director Sean Sallis. “We took in $70,000. The highest I’ve (seen) is $50,000, so that’s very encouraging.”

The theme for the night was “Twist and Shout,” and attendees came in their best poodle skirts, penny loafers and bobby socks. The Moses Lake Classic Car Club brought some vintage vehicles to add to the atmosphere, and Firehouse BBQ grilled hamburgers served by Youth Dynamics students in red-and-white aprons. Auctioneer Chuck Yarbro Jr. conducted the live auction in a University of Idaho letterman’s jacket.

Some of the money raised goes to maintain the Youth Dynamics building on Third Avenue, Sallis said, and some goes to provide meals for the youth who hang out there. Some also go to help students, who otherwise couldn’t afford it, go on outdoor adventures with Youth Dynamics. None of the money goes to pay the Youth Dynamics staff, Sallis added; all of them raise their own support from community donors.

The auction traditionally includes a paddle raise to add something to the building, and this year’s went to build a coffee bar. The goal for that project was $15,000, Sallis said, but the paddle raise brought in $4,000 more, and an anonymous donor kicked in another $10,000.

“It’s going to have Italian sodas and coffee,” Sallis said. “Youth pastors can bring their kids in and have a coffee with them, and … sit eye-to-eye with those kids.”

The coffee bar will be called the Lake City Lights Cafe, Sallis said, in memory of his sister-in-law Joy Dame, who led a music ministry in Florida called Lake City Lights until her passing in August.

A staffer who was visiting from Idaho interviewed students about what they were getting out of their time with Youth Dynamics, and Sallis presented the Impact Player of the Year award to Steve Jones. Jones is a former Youth Dynamics staffer who still volunteers for the organization, Sallis said, and recently helped a group for older youth.

“We do it every third Thursday of the month,” Sallis said. “We have worship and some food and time of prayer with college kids between 18 and 24 years old. He’s been really instrumental in that.”

The evening ended with a prayer from Moses Lake Baptist Church Pastor Dennis Fountain.

“He gave a very clear gospel presentation at the end,” Sallis said. “Which is why we exist. We’re sharing the love of God with students. People were there and they heard the gospel and that’s what Youth Dynamics is all about.”

The auction exceeded expectations in other ways, Sallis said.

“At least 20% of the people were there for the first time,” he said.  “They hadn’t been to our event before and got to hear what we’re doing, and that was really cool.”

The turnout and the giving speak volumes about the sort of community Moses Lake is, Sallis said.

“I’m sure every other community has its own things that are special about it,” Sallis said. "But I looked out at the crowd and I was like, ‘Those of you in this room are part of what makes Moses Lake so special.’ It’s a big deal … These people who give up their time and their money and their resources to be there to support it, that’s what it’s about. We have a really supporting community.”

    Auctioneer Chuck Yarbro Jr. leads the live auction for Youth Dynamics Oct. 18.
  

    Art, goodies and gift baskets were among the items donated for Youth Dynamics’ silent auction.
  

    Moses Lake Youth Dynamics Director Sean Sallis, right, presents volunteer Steve Jones with the Impact Player of the Year award at the benefit auction Oct. 18.
  

    Moses Lake Youth Dynamics students served the banquet in 1950s-style aprons.