Mennonite Relief Sale is April 7-8 at Hutchinson
For the 38th consecutive year, Kansas Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, and Amish congregations are sponsoring a relief sale at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. It will be held April 7-8.
According to Becky Blough, publicity chairman, the desire to help those in need is the driving force behind the annual sale.
More than 70 congregations make the sale possible by organizing the event, donating items, and contributing funds.
Proceeds will go to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which provides material needs, promotes community development, and initiates peace programs in North America and throughout the world.
MCC currently is providing material resources to areas heavily hit by hurricanes or tropical storms in Florida, the U.S. Gulf Coast, and Central America.
Highlights of the sale include three auctions: 1) a quilt auction featuring more than 250 hand-crafted quilts and quilt-related items; 2) a general auction featuring a new Mini FasTrak 17-hp lawnmower donated by Excel Industries, Inc., Hesston, a 1949 MT John Deere Tractor, a set of Hesston National Finals Rodeo buckles displayed in a hand-crafted display case (set includes rare 1974 buckle through 2006), antiques, and various hand-crafted Mennonite furniture and children's toys; 3) a silent auction featuring an antique Amish corner cabinet and other collectibles.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) received a special request from MCC to auction a quilt from the Gulf States Mennonite Conference. This white whole-cloth quilt weathered the hurricane in Des Allemends, La.
Also being sold (pre-priced) are international and Kansas craft items, plants, baked foods, cheeses, hams, and sausage.
Children's activities will include a nine-hole mini-golf course and moonwalk. Ethnic and American foods will be served throughout the fairgrounds.
A 5k Run for Relief is scheduled at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Rice Park. For more information, contact Amy Schmidt at 316-283-2791.
The sale begins at 4 p.m. April 7, with food service in all buildings, including a German buffet in Cottonwood Court.
Auction items may be viewed starting at 5 p.m., and pre-priced items will be for sale.
The general auction opens at 6 p.m. in the Sunflower North building.
Starting times for Saturday events are: 6 a.m., breakfast service; 7 a.m., sale of pre-priced items; and 8:45 a.m., general and quilt auctions.
The 12th House Against Hunger will be auctioned. It is located at 508 E. Prairie Park Lane in Buhler.
For more information about the house, contact Richard Ediger at 620-543-2787.
Admission and parking is free. Overnight camping is available. For information and fees contact the fair office at 620-669-3600.
Information is available online at www.kansas.mccsale.org.
