Community members who are tuned into the personal and spiritual growth needs of area youth re-enacted nostalgic TV shows Sunday night to help raise funds for students to attend summer camp.
Co-emcees Peter Voorhees and Wylie Thulen led several side-splitting rounds of “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal,” fetching cash from donors seeking prizes such as sacks of potatoes, soccer balls and even a live chicken during a 90-minute program in support of the La Conner/Swinomish chapter of Young Life.
Young Life is a faith-based organization focused on providing fun, adventurous, life-changing and skill-building experiences for middle school, high school and college students.
Each November, the local chapter holds its annual dessert fundraiser on the La Conner Elementary School campus, during which attendees pledge their support and hear testimonials from youth praising the non-profit mission’s positive impacts.
Among the main speakers at the Nov. 9 event was La Conner High senior Isabelle Villard, who recounted her opportunity to attend the Young Life Malibu summer camp in British Columbia.
“I had about 12 hours to get ready to go to camp,” Villard said. “Voorhees said a spot had opened and they thought of me. I’m very thankful they did.
“It was a real highlight for me and one of the best experiences of my life.”
Isabelle Villard
Adult Young Life volunteer leaders also endorsed the organization, which was founded in 1941 in Texas and operates globally today.
Kenneth Cayou, a U.S. Navy veteran, spoke about assisting Debbie Wylie Thulen with administrative duties within the local Young Life chapter.
“Young Life is still a big part of who I am and what I’ve done,” Cayou said, adding that “in my Navy service, it was said that if everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot.”
“I want the youth to learn that there’s always hope and a place for them in the world,” he said.
Cayou and others lauded the format of Young Life summer camps, which offer activities ranging from ropes courses and ziplines to water sports and skits, all designed to strengthen each student’s faith.
Retired La Conner teacher and coach Mike Carrigan thanked the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community leadership for its financial and moral support of Young Life.
“I remember (former Swinomish Senate Chair) Brian Cladoosby washing buses one time when our transportation (to camp) fell through,” he recalled.
Former tribal senator Kevin Paul and La Conner Community News board member Janie Beasley represented Swinomish at Sunday’s gathering.
Paul offered a blessing song and alluded to the uplifting nature of Young Life camps.
“It’s great watching the children and seeing the sparkle in their eyes from what they learned at camp and how they can take it to the next step in their lives,” Paul said. “Camp gives them spirituality and courage.”
Beasley said she was grateful for the tribal community’s financial commitment that allows tribal youth to attend Young Life camps.
“I’m thankful for Young Life,” she said. “It plants a seed.”
Beasley said she serves on eight different boards and was recipient two years ago of a $500 gift card as the La Conner Soroptimists choice for its prestigious Ruby Award.
“I’m involved in a lot of different organizations that do a lot of good things, and I began thinking of where I could donate that $500,” said Beasley. “I decided to give it to Young Life for Bibles for our youth.”
Some of the Young Life fundraiser desserts were prepared by Voorhees and his culinary arts students. To further sweeten matters, Voorhees opened an auction for complementary pints of ice cream donated by Lopez Island Creamery. Beasley and Wylie Thulen’s dad, John Thulen, started the bidding at $100.
The generosity on behalf of local youth didn’t stop there. At the end of the program attendees were invited to pledge contributions to Young Life. All embraced the opportunity.
“Our kids are valuable,” remarked Heather Hoglund, the Snohomish County Director of Young Life. “We love the kids in our community. There are many places we could be tonight, but we all rallied here to support our kids.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
