Polk County News
6A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 14, 2016
Record numbers raised for YMCA
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — “I’m
gonna sell it to you,” said
Mike Ainsworth, Polk Coun-
ty commissioner and mas-
ter of ceremonies at the
17th annual YMCA Christ-
mas Party and Auction on
Friday at Green Villa Barn.
Those were words
Ainsworth said as he sold
each of the live auction
items to the highest bidder.
In one case, it was more
than one.
“Our biggest seller of the
night was a live auction
item — dinner at Sam Car-
roll’s farm,” said Natascha
Cronin, vice president of
youth development for the
Family YMCA of Marion and
Polk Counties. “The dinners
are amazing, and the Carroll
family are fantastic hosts. The
bids kept going up and up.”
When they got to $1,100,
things slowed down, Cronin
said.
“Then, Sam announced
he would offer two dinners,
so the two folks bidding each
bought a dinner at $1,100,”
she said. “Fantastic.”
Altogether, the silent and
live auctions raised $23,593.
After expenses are paid,
Cronin suspects the profits
will be about $21,000 — a
new record for the Mon-
mouth-Independence
YMCA Christmas Party and
Auction.
“$20,000 helps a lot of
people,” Cronin said.
Silent auction items in-
cluded a variety of things,
from toys to children’s
books, shampoo to tools,
artwork to gift baskets. In
the live auction, jewelry,
wine and eclipse packages,
dinners and a family game
night were featured.
About halfway through
the live auction, people
were asked to donate schol-
arships.
“We raised almost $4,000
just on the pure generosity
and kindness,” Cronin said.
Throughout the evening,
programs from the Y were
highlighted, including the
YMCA cheerleaders, the In-
spiration Dance Company,
and stories from people
who had benefited from
programs at the Y.
Cronin said she learned a
few things during the event.
“Having the Central High
School Jazz Band is extra
special, because we discov-
ered this year that multiple
kids in the band had partic-
ipated in YMCA activities
when they were younger,
and that Mr. Ed Propst (the
band teacher) attended
years of summer camp as a
child,” Cronin said. “The Y is
more than a gym — it is a
place for kids, grownups
and families to learn, thrive,
play and be active.”
EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer
The 17th annual YMCA Christmas Party and Auction was sold out, attended by 200 people.
EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer
EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer
County Commissioner Mike Ainsworth was the master of
ceremonies and live auctioneer for the event.
Attendees could play Superhero Ka-Pow, where, for $20, they could punch through
the box and pick a prize worth at least $20.
“We have seen his star in the east, and have
come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:2
Christmas Eve
Add meaning to your
Christmas season by celebrating
the birth of Jesus in worship.
7 p.m. Candlelight Service
10 p.m. Candlelight
Service with Communion
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
5:00 pm • December 24
Please note the time change is earlier than last year.
A traditional service of carols, special music
and candle light for the whole family!
565 SE LaCreole Drive • 503-623-2481
dallasumc@questoffice.net • www.umcdallas.com
Sunday
Christmas Day
10 a.m. Worship Service
Coffee & Cookies
after each service
All are welcome.
Come as you are.
Trinity Lutheran
Church
St.Thomas
Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service 5:00 pm
Eucharist Celebration
Christmas Day 10:00 am
320 SE Fir Villa Rd, Dallas
(across from the drive-in movie theater)
503-623-2233
www.dallastlc.org
1486 SW Levens, Dallas
503-623-8522 • www.stthomasdallas.org