Canby Young Life, a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on supporting area youth, is hosting a virtual Yuletide Auction this week in lieu of its traditional fall fundraising event.
The auction offers a wide variety of items, from a four-night stay in Vail, Colo., and other vacations to golf outings to gift baskets featuring local goods and services.
“We’re really excited about it because there’s a lot of things from the community,” YoungLife board member Dan Thomas tells The Canby Current. “Many of these folks — restaurants and other businesses — are YoungLife supporters, their kids go to YoungLife, and we really want to support them in this time as well.”
Canby Young Life Area Director Nick Coleman acknowledged the reluctance many may have to put money toward a vacation package with travel being discouraged restricted — or in some cases, prohibited altogether — during the pandemic.
But he said the travel company is one Young Life has worked with in the past and has been extremely flexible in working with guests throughout this year.
“Some of them are accessible by car or other means,” says Coleman. “So there are a lot of really great opportunities, even in the midst of Covid, for these vacations.”
Canby Young Life is a nonprofit religious organization that provides fun experiences, mentorship opportunities and positive role models for local adolescents.
“‘Relationships’ is our keyword,” Coleman says. “Even when we can’t meet because of the restrictions that are in place, we’re still reaching out to kids, building those relationships and walking alongside them.”
What that has boiled down to — throughout most of this year — has been “a lot of Zoom meetings,” Coleman and Thomas said with a laugh.
“It’s not really about the events,” Coleman says. “It’s about inviting kids into our lives, which I think people realize is more important than ever right now, with kids facing what they’re facing. It’s very hard to be a teenager right now, and we’re more committed to our mission than ever.”
To support Canby Young Life through its Yuletide Auction, visit younglife.tofinoauctions.com/canbyyuletide. The auction closes at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
For more information about Canby Young Life, visit its website or follow the organization on Facebook or Instagram.
