Volunteer Joe Lane makes his way through the crowd serving some delicious treats. (Eileen Casey)

Sag Harbor - The Youth Advocacy and Resource Development (Y.A.R.D.) threw a bash at Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor on Friday, February 10, to kick off "HarborFrost," where guests dined on delicious treats provided by local restaurants, danced to the great tunes DJ David Pharaoh played, and had the opportunity to catch up with old friends, and bid on fantastic silent auction items.

"Y.A.R.D. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing free activities to teens in the Sag Harbor area." According to their mission statement, "Kids are a treasured resource," and the programs offered are a "collaborative effort between New York State, the Suffolk County Youth Bureau, Southampton Town, Sag Harbor Village, North Haven Village and the Sag Harbor School District."

In its 13th year, the Y.A.R.D. Board "is strongly committed to a collaboration of community resources to meet the needs of [our] youth. Connecting [our] 'at risk' youth to meaningful community programs and activities that will foster their physical, social and emotional well-being." Programs include the Safe Summer Beach Program, The Community Room After-School at Pierson High School, Special Events and Bus Trips, The Sailing Program, and Enrichment Workshops and Leadership, as well as Communication about available youth activities with a monthly news column in the Sag Harbor Express.

Just some of the fantastic silent auction gift baskets. (Eileen Casey)

The event held on Friday brought together a huge crowd of supporters for the wonderful work Y.A.R.D. accomplishes. Coordinated by Sandi Kruel, the evening included a raffle, drink specials, dinner-by-the-bite with food provided by numerous local restaurants, and coordinated by Kevin Kruel, as well as an amazing array of silent auction items including spa, restaurant, garden and salon certificates, original artwork, wines and entertaining items, beach and homeware items, numerous sports items, including an authographed Jake LaMotta boxing glove, and even a signed acoustic guitar from the legendary James Taylor.

Bidding was so intense with guests checking their bids frequently, and with such fantastic offerings, that this was one of the few silent auctions where multiple pages were used for many of the items - congratulations to Jen Houser for arranging the baskets and for ensuring that there was such a variety and volume of items that everyone could bid on something, thus raising even more funds for the programs offered by Y.A.R.D.

The evening was a wonderful launch to the Sag Harbor "HarborFrost" and guests got in the mood for a fun filled weekend by hitting the dance floor with some smooth moves, visiting with old and new friends, and most importantly, reminding everyone just how important community involvement and its benefits can be for all of us.