Thirty-five years ago, a small group of concerned citizens and volunteers for Youth In Need committed to raising funds that would help benefit the children, youth and families Youth In Need serves. What started out as a dinner party and auction at a local disco club (netting $30,000) has grown to become the single largest fundraiser for the agency, with proceeds exceeding $500,000 in 2020. Celebration of Youth is a major event in St. Louis, attracting hundreds of civic and business leaders.