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home page 33rd AnnualRocky Mountain Mennonite Relief SaleMCC Relief Saleand AuctionOctober 17-18, 2008 Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds, Rocky Ford, Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief sale is a joint effort of over 30 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ congregations in Colorado, New Mexico, and West Texas. All labor is volunteered, and most sale items are donated. All proceeds from the sale go directly to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale October 19-20, 2007 $131,000 was taken in at the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale Oct 19-20 in Rocky Ford, CO. It’s estimated that nearly $100,000 of that will be sent to MCC Friday evening’s entertainment was provided by "Five Times Harder," a family from Kansas. Their music was delightful and well received. Meals that evening and on Saturday were prepared and served several blocks from the fair ground site. Last winter’s 40 inch snowfall crushed the building that had been used for preparing and serving food. A shuttle system worked well and meal sales held steady! As usual, quilts were a major source of income. Seven of the nine quilt kits that were sold at the 2006 sale were returned completed and auctioned, generating $1900. The Quilt Corner had $3300 in proceeds. The quilt auction topped $36,000 with the highest bid for a quilt totaling $4,100. Nine quilts sold for $1000 or more. The quilt auction had 109 articles donated. Several of the donated quilts came from folks from Loveland, CO. They had been helped by Mennonite Disaster Service during the Big Thompson Canyon Flood. When it came time to downsize, they thought of the Mennonites.Ten Thousand Villages sales brought in $67,000. The silent auction raised $1365, nearly double that of last year. "Amish cheese" sales brought in $3150. All but $200 of that had been raised by two fund raisers. Two other presale functions were held to help offset expenses. The Denver Auction brought in $1336.50 and the Arkansas Valley Chicken Dinner $1138. The Kid’s Korner raised $90.15 and the Kids’ Auction brought in $1408. Faye and Clair Brenneman (sale coordinators) wrote, "The childrens’ auction packed the 30’x30’ tent. The kids were cheered as they bid on their favorite items. Much education about the work of Mennonite Central Committee is apparent in this auction." $7912.92 was collected in the Penny Power Drive. This also promoted the education of children about the work of MCC. The Mennonite Youth Fellowship food booth raised $1637.50 and they were ‘open’ the entire sale. It was next to the auction site—an ideal location! Over $4000 was raised for MCC to help specifically with the aftermath of Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua, as bid cards were raised for donations. This followed the appeal by Elizabeth Raid, staff member from MCC Central States. Jim Brenneman, head auctioneer, reported that $23,000 of the sale income was charged to credit cards. This is the first year arrangements were made to take VISA and MASTER CARD. As many know, countless volunteer hours are spent preparing for the sale, during the sale, and following the sale. Lynn Horner, who was reelected to another three year term as President of the Sale Board at its ‘wrap-up’ meeting October 28, guided the many willing workers through the varied challenges and successes. We thank God for him, for the many volunteers and for the generous donors. Also, we thank God that we have an organization, MCC, through which to serve ‘in the name of Christ! Lois Franz Bartel, Publicity Coordinator |