Shown with a few of the live auction items for the Lakeland Youth Center annual Kids First Auction are, from left, Jessica Barger, auction committee member; Jenny Douglas, LYC executive director; Susan Cripe, LYC board member; Kellie Newcomer, LYC preschool director and Cassie Correll, LYC activities director. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

SYRACUSE — Lakeland Youth Center’s sixth annual Kids First Auction will be held Friday, April 27, at The Owl’s Nest, 7369 E. 800N, North Webster. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Travel the World,” with guests encouraged to attend wearing resort destination clothing or dressing as a pilot or flight attendant. There will be food and a cash bar available.

This year’s event will feature numerous items donated by local merchants for the silent auction, which begins at 6 p.m. followed by the live auction at 7:30 p.m. with several travel-related items of interest in the auction. Photographs of the silent auction items can be found on the LYC’s website, www.lakelanelandyouthcenter.com.

Among the live auction items are: Notre Dame play like a champion sign autographed by Lou Holtz, a signed Colts helmet, The 702 Salon Services and basket, a Tyler Eifert signed NFL football and two photographs when he played for Notre Dame and with the Bengals, Cubs tickets and framed picture including a bat, signed jersey from Drew Brees, Tin Caps private suite for Father’s Day, signed basketball from UCLA basketball coach and Hoosier legend Steve Alford, a Kosciusko flight package, Jamaica trip, Vegas trip and a lot more.

Funds from Kids First, sponsorships and general donations are allocated to the preschool, youth sports programs and LYC family and community events. Donors help LYC provide preschool and sports financial scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships to Wawasee High School graduates.

LYC first opened its doors more than 50 years ago. Since that time, LYC has been instrumental in preparing children to reach their academic potential, promoting family building events and encouraging healthy lifestyle activities. In one year, LYC impacts the lives of more than 3,000 children from multiple counties and various socio and economic backgrounds.

Tickets are $50 per person and available online at www.lakelandyouthcenter.com or at the LYC office, 101 W. Chicago St., Syracuse. Tickets are also available by calling LYC at (574) 457-3055 or emailing [email protected].

Brian Wuthrich, Hahn’s Realty and Auction, will be the auctioneer for the evening.