A Freeland woman, along with the help of students from South Whidbey Academy and space provided by The Goose Grocer, raised over $450 in cash for Ryan’s House for Youth.

Ryan’s House for Youth is a non-profit organization which serves as a hub for young people on South Whidbey who don’t have permanent housing.

Stephanie Sansbury, a 2006 graduate of Bayview School, initiated the project on her own without any affiliation to an organization.

“It’s just something I wanted to do,” Sansbury said.

The fundraiser occurred on two Saturdays, Nov. 21 and Nov. 28, and was held at The Goose. In addition to the cash, people contributed five boxes of food, random hygiene products, and toiletries for Ryan’s House. Sansbury said the efforts she made were to show her children how fortunate they are to be able to look forward to Christmas, as compared to youths at Ryan’s House. Sansbury’s children helped hand out fliers and collect donations from Whidbey residents.

“I personally think it’s really good to teach kids about giving,” Sansbury said. “Especially looking at my own children who don’t realize how fortunate they have it.”