Live and silent auction items are being collected and tickets are for sale for the Weyburn Youth Centre's annual fund-raising banquet, to be held on Monday, Nov. 3 at the Knox Hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the banquet are available in advance only, from executive director Brian Hopfe, at a cost of $12.50 each, or a table of eight for $100. The deadline for tickets is Friday, Oct. 31, in order to the let the caterers, the Weyburn Christian Academy, know the number of those attending.

The Youth Centre is a ministry of Youth for Christ, operates the TAGS teen drop-in centre, where drop-in activities are available for youths of all ages through the week, and also has a counselling service available. The centre estimates between 150-200 youths go through the facility each week, with that number expected to increase with the onset of cold weather.

This year's event will include several items donated by Weyburn and area businesses for both the silent and live auction, with larger items going in the live event. These include a radial arm saw, a Bulova clock, and a Ford anniversary coat.

The fund-raiser brought in about $12,000 last year, said Hopfe, and the organization is hoping for between $12-15,000 this year. The event is solely to help the Youth Centre with its ongoing day-to-day operations and expenses, and is not for extra projects such as the proposed skateboard park.

The guest speaker is Youth For Christ's national director Barry Bowater, who is new to the position this year. Most recently he worked in the office of Sen. Len Gustafson in Ottawa.

Entertainment will include a "Red Green" skit, musical performances throughout the evening, and some youths will share their thoughts about the Youth Centre and its programs.