More than 50 enkindled spirits gathered for an evening of celebration and connection during Be the Spark!, the American Youth Foundation\u2019s first virtual fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 25. The event replaced the Donald Danforth Jr. Memorial Golf tournament, which was canceled in May due to the coronavirus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose who attended our Founder Sparks event were truly the enkindled spirits tending the fires of the AYF,\u201d said President Anna Kay Vorsteg. \u201cThe climb has been steep, and the company good. I am thankful for those generous sparks who lit the way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the event, the AYF took the group on virtual tours of Miniwanca<\/a> and Merrowvista<\/a>, showcasing changes to both sites like new windows at the Miniwanca Eating Lodge, an updated Merrowvista waterfront, and robust green grass after campuses were spared a summer of trampling feet.<\/p>\n One highlight of Be the Spark! was the chance to hear from Founder Friends<\/a> from across the country. People submitted videos sharing stories of how the AYF has affected their lives and how the lessons learned at Merrowvista and Miniwanca have helped them through a difficult 2020.<\/p>\n Alumni like Linda Zehring Butler, 81, shared how her father, daughter, and grandchildren all attended Merrowvista, while children just starting their AYF journeys like Connor, Taylor, and Pippa Smith said camp gave them a safe space to be themselves.<\/p>\n Teens and young adults like Marisol Perez, Lela Matthews, and Kate Hampson shared how their experiences growing up in the AYF formed lasting bonds with friends and challenged them mentally and physically.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d never ever done a biking trip \u2014 even though I didn\u2019t get to do Voyageur this year \u2014 I don\u2019t think I ever did something harder than that,\u201d Perez said in her video.<\/a> \u201cI didn\u2019t think I would be able to, but I really did. It just makes me look back [and realize] I can do anything if I put my mind to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Vorsteg ended the evening charging attendees to bring their best selves to their home communities and to tend to the Four Folds of their lives. In doing so, she said, we will enkindle others\u2019 spirits worldwide.<\/p>\n AYF archivist Jan Strube said she was grateful for the opportunity to connect with the AYF community during Be the Spark! \u201cEvery chance I have to connect with others who have the common experience of AYF programs is an opportunity\u00a0to feed my soul. It is a compass that redirects my focus and path in life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In addition to connecting with the Founder Family, Be the Spark! reached its fundraising goal of $50,000 thanks to the generous support of Nestle Purina PetCare, Deb Seidel, Katie and Christophe Lemaire and many others.<\/p>\n Vorsteg said these contributions have made a critical different to the AYF. \u201cThis has been a very hard fiscal year, and it has been a record-setting year in terms of the support we have received,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen we look back on 2020, I will forever remember this as a year when our families, friends, alumni, and board of directors, stepped up to secure AYF in the face of a pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n If you weren\u2019t able to make it to Be the Spark!, you can view the entire event below. Learn more about making a donation online<\/a>, or text AYF2020<\/strong> to 44321<\/strong>. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n