Drive-up barbecue is a success
Story & photos submitted by Stephanie Cunningham
A winter retreat for the middle school and high school youth of Church On The Hill’s Undefeated Youth Group is being planned for March 12 and 13, and to raise funds for the event the youth group held a Drive-up Barbecue Dinner fundraiser on Sunday. A little more than $2,000 was raised, through the community’s generous donations and support.
The girls will be having a fun sleepover Friday night and the boys will join in on Saturday for a full day of activities events. Lessons focus on understanding God‘s forgiveness and living a life that brings good, and not distraction.
The boys will do their sleepover on Saturday night. The Youth Group needed a way to cover the food for those days along with the materials for some fun games and activities such as a live among us, Nerf wars, art journaling, and baking. Members of the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department were invited to the retreat as well, to go over fire safety along with some fun fire demonstrations.
Undefeated Youth Group meets at Church On The Hill in Newcastle every Wednesday night from 6 to 8 p.m., with groups available for toddlers all the way up through high school. Dinner is provided for everyone who attends, followed by fun games, activities, and Bible lessons.
In addition, the kids earn T-shirts, hoodies and hats by attending Undefeated each week and these funds allow the continuation of those earned rewards as well.
“We are so thankful to the community for coming out and supporting us and allowing the youth to serve you. It is very important for us that our youth learn to serve and give back to the community, and this was one big night for them to develop their ability to talk to others, to serve others and work hard with one another,” said Stephanie Cunningham, group leader.
Cunningham wanted to thank group leaders Casey Cunningham, Joel and Jacki Tomkinson, Dennis Hanson, and Donald and Mary Romine who did all the food prep, along with Pam and Chris Gualtieri, who donated the meat and building.