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One classic car for clubhouse photo by Melissa Martin Power windows, power brakes, electric seats, air-conditioning: What more could you ask for? Dave Smith shows off a 1969 Buick Electra 225 that Eagle Point's Campus Life is selling for $2,000 to help keep the clubhouse open. Campus Life sells Buick to help keep Eagle Point club open By Melissa Martin of the Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT -- Dave Smith is proud of the 1969 Buick Electra 225 sitting outside the Campus Life clubhouse. It has 150,000 original miles, power windows, power brakes, electric seats, electric antenna, air conditioning and a price tag of $2,000. "It runs like a champ," Smith says. "It's a one-owner car that was kept in the garage. The interior is like brand new." Smith may love the old Buick, but he's eager to get rid of it. It's one of the ways he and others are trying to raise money to keep the doors open at Campus Life's clubhouse in downtown Eagle Point. "People give me stuff that's broke. I fix it and sell it and use it for the clubhouse," Smith says. "We run our clubhouse for $15,000 a year and you couldn't find another youth center around here that could even open its door for that amount." An estimated 300 teenagers in the Upper Rogue area use the Campus Life clubhouse, Smith says. Campus Life/Rogue Valley Youth for Christ is a non-profit Christian organization that sponsors activities and clubs in which 3,000 Rogue Valley teenagers participate throughout the year. In Eagle Point, the clubhouse stays busy nearly every day of the week with a high school movie night, "Wednesday Night Live" for budding student performers, a free lunch served on Thursdays, "Dave's Dumb Games" on Fridays and a junior high night. The clubhouse is stocked with a pool table, a sound system, Nintendo, a ping-pong table, arcade games and couches. And club rules are simple: no alcohol, drugs, swearing or fighting, and dress modestly. "The youth center gives everybody a place that's safe," Smith says. "They get a different vision, a better vision. It's a place where people are showing respect and honesty and receiving respect." Smith dreams of purchasing and remodeling the building, which could cost $250,000, a hefty sum for an organization that's funded through private donors. The clubhouse needs a new heating system, new rugs and a paint job, Smith says. Smith opened the clubhouse in 1994 with the help of a former Eagle Point High quarterback, Dan Shoppe, and some of his classmates. Today, 40 high school, college and parent volunteers help keep the doors open and make the students feel welcome. And Smith, one of seven staff members with Campus Life/Rogue Valley Youth for Christ, plans to keep doing his part. "Anybody want to buy a 1969 Buick Electra?" Smith asked Eagle Point High students during a recent classroom visit. "It's in mint condition and has a great price." For information, call Smith at 826-3747. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA