Ramona Young Life holds first fundraising banquet

By Jesse Sammons

On Monday, Nov. 7, Ramona Community School’s multipurpose room was filled with 130-plus supporters for Ramona’s first Young Life fundraiser.

Ramona’s Young Life Committee as well as students from Ramona Young Life organized as well as served at the fundraising banquet.

Young Life is a non-profit, international Christian organization aimed at teenagers. Its goal is to reach out, support, encourage and make a positive impact in teen’s lives and in the community.

Steve Albanese, Ramona’s Young Life area director, spoke at the fundraiser, explaining the Ramona branch of Young Life’s goals, as well his personal experiences with Young Life and how it impacted him personally.

Young Life Regional Director Eric Scofield also spoke, giving the historic background of this organization, and the significance for its presence in Ramona.

Between the presentations by Albanese and Scofield, two students took the microphone for a few minutes. Jose Pilar and Shea Loska each gave their own personal testimonies about their faith and how Young Life made a positive impact in their lives, and in their families as well.

The fundraiser was a success, garnering approximately 25 percent of the group’s annual budget to help support the local ministry.

The Ramona Young Life group is led by Albanese and meets every Monday at 7:27 p.m. in Ramona Elementary School’s Multipurpose Room.

Anyone wishing to know more about Ramona Young Life, as a support donor or a volunteer, may contact Albanese at 760-440-5544 or visit www.YoungLifeRamona.com.