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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The YMCA of Chilton County’s annual fundraiser is getting a festive makeover this year as the Transforming Lives dinner will have a fiesta theme for the food and decorations.

“We are going to do fajitas and tacos and then appetizers and desserts will be a Mexican theme,” CEO Lori Patterson said.

This year’s guest speaker will be Erron Price of Lomax Assembly of God sharing about his years growing up at the YMCA of Chilton County.

“He was a Y day camper, then later he was a teen worker, then actually worked here as a young adult,” Patterson said. “He has a lot of great stories just connecting the Y to the community and himself.”

The event will also feature a live auction, including trips, work from local artists and other unique items.

“We always try to get our kids to do something because the reason for the auction fundraiser is to benefit our kids programing,” Patterson said. “A lot of the kids have been taking crocheting classes this year, and they crocheted an afghan together that will be one of our items.”

The event will be Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Wyatt Barn, 4135 County Road 16 in Clanton. Tickets are $25 each or $40 for a pair.

Tickets are on sale at the Y on Ollie Avenue or from any Y staff member or board member. Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to get their ticket soon.

Those who cannot attend but would like to contribute to the fundraiser can make a monetary donation or donate an item to the auction by stopping by the Y, Tisha Woodham-Creel of the YMCA of Chilton County said.

All funds raised through the event are used for scholarships to allow children to attend programs at the Y who may not otherwise be able to afford it. Patterson said this includes summer camp, the after-school program and the sports programs.

This is the main fundraiser the Y has each year for the scholarship program.

A silent auction connected to the event will begin on Jan. 10 at www.32auctions.com/ccymca 2022. Those wanting to bid on an item will need to create an account in order to participate.

“It will update you if someone outbids you,” Tisha Woodham-Creel of the YMCA of Chilton County said.

This allows bidders to go back and bid again at a higher price for another chance at being the top bidder. Winners from the silent auction will be announced at the Jan. 27 event.

The goal for this year’s event is to raise $20,000.