When RAISE28 hosts its annual banquet, the evening will be a celebration of the organization's four decades of service to youths as well as its new name. RAISE28, formerly Rainbow's End Youth Services (REYS), will hold the banquet from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim.

The event will feature a buffet dinner as well as a program highlighting the organization.

"At the banquet we will be celebrating our 42nd year. ... We will explain about the name change and the rebranding process, including the updating of our mission statement," said Mark Unger, RAISE28 executive director. "A special time of worship will be led by the Cornell family. The speakers will include Mount Joy Mayor Tim Bradley as our keynote speaker. Testimonies by RAISE28 kids will be made, two via video and one in person."

Unger will offer a year-in-review speech, and former REYS executive director Dean Peters will close out the evening. The master of ceremonies for the evening will be RAISE28 board chair Jill Meador.

Dinner will be catered by Simply From Scratch and will feature garlic parmesan-smothered chicken breasts, ham balls, salad, roasted red-skin potatoes, green beans, rolls, assorted mini desserts and a coffee and cold beverage bar.

There is no charge to attend the banquet, but donations will be received at the event. "All proceeds will go to the operation costs for RAISE28 as we work to reach more kids and families in the greater Mount Joy area," Unger said.

RAISE28, located at 105 Fairview St., Mount Joy, provides after-school programming for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. "Our programming has three components: academic assistance, social support and spiritual development," Unger shared. "All of our services are free, and we provide a meal each day before the kids go home. Our mission is to reach local youth with the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ."

He invites everyone to come to the banquet for an evening of fellowship. "You will be blessed and inspired as you hear about RAISE28 and participate in this event," he said, noting that the organization's success depends on the community. "It is because of the support from churches, local volunteer organizations, businesses and individuals that RAISE28 exists."

Although admission to the banquet is free, advance registration is required. To register, visit https://raise28.org/events.