OLD TOWN – Meticulously pouring over inspirational quotes to make sure the intended meaning comes across was just the beginning. Add glue guns, gems, beach glass and grout and you’ve got an auction item with a motivational message of positive social action.

Maggie Campbell, Mary Callaway, Andrew Chalila and Kate Goodness, representing the River Coalition’s youth advisory council, donated several hours to decorating one of seven custom-made canoe plaques auctioned July 15 during Canoe Hullabaloo, the coalition’s annual community celebration and fundraising event.

The youth advisory council is a group of area students eager to contribute to community change through student-driven civic engagement.

Their project, “Explore. Dream. Discover.,” is a visual representation of the future they’d like to create for Old Town and its residents. Their effort added $225 to the overall $1,175 raised through plaque bids.