Ryan’s House For Youth hosted its Big Red Event on Feb. 9 at Greenbank Farms. The evening was a unique fundraising auction in which the whole of Whidbey Island was invited. The community came out and enjoyed a glass of wine and appetizers while raising money for homeless youths. The nonprofit raised more than $5,000 that evening.

All the auction items were donated from local businesses around the island, from Clinton to Oak Harbor. Ryan’s House For Youth continues to partner with local businesses that support the goal of building the future shelter.

Mona Newbauer, owner of Sweet Mona’s in Langley, donated a two-pound homemade chocolate bar to the silent auction. Newbauer and her husband also attended the event and won three items, one being a night out at the Anchorage Inn Bed and Breakfast in Coupeville.

“It was a fun event and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Newbauer said.

Ryan’s House For Youth is a local nonprofit, building the first homeless youth shelter to serve the entire island. The building will house 16 youth between the ages of 13 to 17, however they serve youths ages 12 to 25 by providing basic necessities such as clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets, also providing access to host families, counselors, tutors and mentors. Their future goal is to have buildings on each end of the island serving ages 13-17 and 18-25 respectively.

To learn more about Ryan’s House For Youth, contact Lori Cavender, founder/ executive director, P.O. Box 551 Langley, WA 98260 or 360-331-4575, 206-356-2405 or ryanshouseforyouth@gmail.com or www.ryanshouseforyouth.org