Benefit auction supports Penns Valley Youth Center

SPRING MILLS — On April 8, two auctions were held in the gymnasium of the Old Gregg School Community Center in Spring Mills to benefit the Penns Valley Youth Center, which also is located in the building.

The event featured a silent auction of gift baskets filled with items and coupons for services from a host of local businesses and a live auction of several donated vacation trip packages and some student artwork.

Patrons had about an hour to peruse the silent auction items and place their bids. Students clad in bright blue PVYC T-shirts circulated among the patrons, offering them hors d’oerves prepared by volunteers in the community center’s kitchen. Live music was presented by local musicians Karl Leitzel and Jeremy Tosten.

Jamie Felker, president of the PVYC board of directors, began the evening, welcoming the crowd of about 180 people to the auction and thanking all the event sponsors for their contributions. He then introduced Emma Narber, a ninth-grader who is involved with the youth center.

Narber said the youth center helped her make friends after she transferred from a private school to Penns Valley High School. She said that students at the PVYC reach out to many students from broken homes and difficult family situations.

“Day after day, I come to the youth center and build friendships with people,” she said. “These kids have a lot of stress in their lives.”

Auctioneer Mike Dilliard opened the live auction, offering up for bids items such as a day-long bus trip for four people to New York City for a Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall, a day trip to Philadelphia, a cookie-decorating class for six and a vacation trip to Orlando, Fla., which included lodging, admission to four different theme parks and a $500 gift card. Bidding escalated quickly with Dilliard’s encouragement, and a few bidding wars ensued.

“There are no friends at an auction,” Dillard quipped. He conducts the PVYC auctions annually at no charge.

Felker spoke again, noting that the PVYC’s budget for the year is around $185,000, which included funds for counselors, an intern, a bus for trips and many other operational needs. He encouraged his audience to donate generously, and outlined several giving plans available to potential donors. He also praised the work of the PVYC staff.

“It’s amazing what happens and how kids are transformed,” he said. “I guarantee you that anybody who has been involved with the Penns Valley Youth Center has not regretted the time they’ve invested.”

The Penns Valley Youth Center is sponsored by the Penns Valley Community Church, which meets in the Old Gregg School. The youth center, staffed by adult volunteers, provides after-school programs with snacks, recreation, video games, help with homework, workshops, counseling and many other activities for students in grades seven through 12 in the Penns Valley area. It opened in fall 2011, and has grown steadily in its outreach and popularity since then.