The Stettler Community Hall had turned into a '70s paradise on Saturday evening, June 4, as guests and supporters of the Heartland Youth Center (HYC)'s annual auction fundraiser packed the space donning their best attire remaining from the "Make Love, Not War" period.
Happy that the evening was a sellout with 300 tickets, HYC executive director Winnie Bissett said, "We've had a sellout crowd for the past 14 years, this year I didn't think we would sell out given the downturn in the economy, but just two days before the event, it was sold out."
This year's theme was 'disco fever', a theme selected by the Awesome Auction committee, which starts working and planning the event months ahead in February.
The evening comprised of a steak and lobster dinner, followed by a silent and live auction, ending with a dance.
"This event is not catered, with all the meal preparation and cooking being done by HYC volunteers, which include parents, board members, community volunteers, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, while HYC teens help with the set up and take down of tables and chairs and clean up of the hall," added Bissett. "All funds raised from this event go towards operating and maintaining the HYC facility, although in the past we have kept some funds aside for other necessities, which enabled us to purchase a shuttle bus last summer."
The evening started off with a speech by 12-year-old Little Sister Tia Fitzpatrick speaking about the impact her Big Sister and Mentor has had on her.
This was followed by a short speech by board chair Amanda Churchill, former youth member and Big Sister, who spoke about how her involvement over the years with HYC has helped her, "The HYC gives members a place that feels like home, a place to be leaders, gain confidence, and discover passions – a place you are proud to be part of and a place you stay involved with."
Churchill also took the opportunity to acknowledge that the HYC has been named as a recipient of a legacy gift from Keith and Chris Thompson.
"When and how much that gift will be, will be determined by the estate executors as they carry out their due diligence," said Churchill. "What we do know is that this generous donation will enable us to take one step closer to sustainable services for the youth of the community."
Bissett added that she had a great time and loved how the guests had dressed up in their fantastic '70s outfits.
"The dance floor was a flashback to disco and the great '70s tunes for the first hour was a throwback in time," said Bissett.
The Awesome Auction, which started out as a radio auction in the 1990s has morphed into something that the Stettler community looks forward to each year.
Next year's Awesome Auction will be held on Saturday, June 3 and will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a maritime theme.