YDF membership jumps




Port Aransas High School student Avica Burrill was presented the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award by member Penny Pillack during a Port Aransas ISD board meeting on Wednesday, March 9. Staff photo by Graysen Golter

Port Aransas High School student Avica Burrill was presented the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award by member Penny Pillack during a Port Aransas ISD board meeting on Wednesday, March 9. Staff photo by Graysen Golter

After fearing an uncertain future with only eight members last month, the Youth Development Foundation is now going strong with 25 people having joined since.

President Cyndi Christenson said a previous article by the South Jetty and her reaching out to various community members helped with increasing the membership.

“I had some people call and say, ‘Oh, the article was too depressing, it didn’t give any hope,’ but evidently, it was depressing just right,” she said.

The Foundation also increased its younger membership, with members now ranging in ages from thirties to seventies.

New members also came with new officers, she said.

Because Christenson is moving out of the state in May, she said, the new president will be Regina Love. Other new officers include Michelle Wilkinson as vice president, Kristi Littleton as secretary and Heather Jack as treasurer.

Christenson said she felt the organization is now in good hands before she leaves Port Aransas, as the members are expected to continue increasing in numbers and have already been discussing ideas such as new fundraisers.

Formerly known as the Kiwanis Club, the YDF is a non-profit that supports Port Aransas youth with activities such as fundraisers, food drives and the Project Graduation event.

Project Graduation each year puts on an all-night, safe, lock-in party for Port Aransas High School seniors on graduation night.

PAHS students have received over $160,000 in scholarships from YDF in the last eight years, according to a release.

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