The Youth for Christ (YFC) Morris annual Gala of Hope set fundraising records last week.
“The night brought in $24,000. Plus we have almost $40,000 in local business sponsorship,” shared YFC Morris director Jack Wiebe. “That is about 10 grand more than last year.”
The March 14 celebration took place at the Morris Multiplex and featured 250 adult guests, plus approximately 40 youth who were helping to put on the event.
YFC Morris is a chartered member of Youth for Christ Canada, an international, non-denominational evangelistic Christian youth ministry.
“I wish I had YFC when I was growing up,” said Maureen Pryce, associate national director and gala guest speaker. “We engage and equip youth to know and follow Jesus. Caring adults providing relationship support and confidence.”
Motivated by the Christian faith, YFC believes that transformed youth can transform communities, our country, and the world.
“Every young person living fully in Christ.” said Wiebe. “This doesn’t mean to make you a Christian. Kids come to the drop-in centre with no obligation.”
The YFC Morris chapter has a drop-in centre on 320 Boyne Avenue W. Upwards of 40 youth visit the centre every week. Kids from Rosenort, Lowe Farm, St. Jean, St. Malo, and St. Pierre take part.
The centre offers a Gr. 5-6 program and a program for Gr. 7-12. Youth that have graduated from high school can stay involved with the centre as a junior volunteer.
The gala is the biggest of two fundraising events YFC hosts each year, the second taking place during the Manitoba Stampede.
Guests enjoyed music from the Christian rock band The Unnamed after a welcome message, prayer, and evening description.
“We are a gospel focused band,” said guitarist Josh Nickel. “We play rock and country music. Our band’s name is based on a verse from the book of Revelation 2.”
Band members are from Morris, Rosenort, Riverside, St. Jean, Lowe Farm and Morris. They play local events, backyards, and festivals.
After the musical interlude, the hosts invited guests by table number to join the serving lines in two buffet tables for a nosh of appetizers.
Morris Bigway staff, with the help of other volunteers, catered the food serving. Store owner Pat Schmitk noted, “We help with the event every year. This would not have worked without the volunteer staff in the kitchen.”
While guest dined, The Unnamed once again entertained the guests with two songs. Before dessert was served, the winners of the skit challenge made their stage debut.
Fifteen-year-old Ally Sawatzky and 14-year-old Samantha Storck won the challenge of writing and performing their own play for the crowd called Tower of Babel. The duo received a $200 prize for their work.
The Morris YFC drop-in centre can be contacted by phone at 204-712-5884 or via email to jack.wiebe@yfc.ca
Photos by Sean Conway/Voice
