Youths ring in new year in safe environment

    HOULTON — Gentle Memorial Building was transformed into a New Year’s Eve celebration Mecca Dec. 31 for the 5th annual New Year’s Eve party, sponsored by the Military Street Baptist Church, in partnership with other local churches, including Houlton Full Gospel Assembly and Bethel Pentecostal.
    Nearly 100 students participated in the event, which featured a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, volleyball, board games, prizes, giveaways, the “world’s biggest game of Ninja,” and a lot of hanging out and interaction.
Contributed photo/Lisa Surran
CELEBRATING — The Gentle Memorial Building in Houlton was hopping New Year’s Eve as area youth celebrated the holiday.
    As a price of admission, area youths had to bring canned goods for the Adopt-a-Block program. Adopt-a-Bock is a local outreach that seeks to provide assistance for those in need.
    “Because of the generosity of those who came, an entire barrel of food was collected,” said Lisa Surran, director of youth ministries at Military Street Baptist Church. “We are blessed to be in a community with so many amazing young people. The entire evening was a success because of the involvement and the great behavior of everyone who attended.”