Desserts are back for the Young Life Auction

This year the Young Life Auction can live up to its Sweet Spring Auction name again.
Last year the event made a detour with the emergence of COVID and swiftly switched from in-person to online.
Surprisingly, the organization found that challenge resulted in attracting numerous new bidders, even folks from Ely who had not attended before.
It was the organization’s most successful auction yet in raising funds that go directly to programming and camp scholarships for area youth. But there was one criticism. No desserts.
For the 16th annual fundraiser, that problem has been rectified. With 18 bakers creating 21 gourmet desserts, this is a sweet auction indeed.
Erin Moravitz will be donating three different desserts, and favorites like Sharon Svatos and her Guinness Chocolate Cake will be back, but it will work a bit differently than in the past.
Just as you might bid on a dinner donation and then schedule it at a later time, the dessert winners will receive a certificate that allows them to coordinate a time with the baker for their special treat to be created. (No more putting that luscious cheesecake in the freezer for an August family reunion!)
The desserts will be accompanied by 175 donated items from generous businesses and individuals.
There will be old favorites like Tom Wetzel and Larry Mischke’s walleye dinner, as well as newcomers like Docks on Wheels.
There will be unique experiences like rides in fire trucks, tow boats, zip lines, canoes, golf carts, cable cars, trains, dog sleds, and on stand-up paddle boards. And of course, plenty of options for dining, outdoor adventures, and homeowners, just to name a few.
Ely Area Director, Mike Keller, said, “Ely Young Life is still going strong and has throughout the pandemic, finding creative ways to connect with kids through remote activities.”
This summer Ely kids will be returning to camp – often dubbed “the best week of their lives” and are signing up right now.
Approximately three-fourths of the middle school and high school youth in Ely participate in Young Life in some form (through camp, attending clubs, special events or small groups) by the time they graduate. And 30 volunteers work directly with kids through Young Life, Wyldlife and the Angler’s Club.”
Young Life is a non-denominational, international Christian youth organization. For more information about Young Life and the auction go online to ely.younglife.org.
Auction items are also posted on Ely Young Life Sweet Spring Auction’s Facebook page.
Bidding will open Sunday, April 25, at 6 p.m. and end Sunday, May 2, at 6 p.m. Auction items will close at various times from 2-6 p.m. on May 2.