MCC Relief Sale and Auction 2014

Celebrating 50 years of Faith in Action June 14 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon

Although this year's relief sale and auction is the 45th, MCC in Saskatchewan is celebrating 50 Years of Faith in Action. The very first relief sale actually took place in Herbert, Saskatchewan in 1920 and generated $1,100 to support uprooted and vulnerable people in "Russia". Today's equivalent is $25,894.33 according to Rod Andrews report in the Rosthern Valley News.

The day of celebration, shopping, visiting and eating began with a Menno Mile and breakfast. Just as the auction was about to begin, Claire Ewert Fisher, opened the sale with introductions of the morning's guests, Nancy Heppner, MLA, in the ruling Saskatchewan Party, and Cam Broten, leader of the Official Opposition party.

Duff Warkentin then led the singing of a "Praise God" (long version). We gave thanks for all those who have led the relief sale work, donated and volunteered their time, and those who came to eat ethnic foods, purchase sale items often lovingly hand created, and make donations to support projects like the peace education underway in Nigeria.

The first auction item was 50 zwiebac (buns) in a basket. Edith Krahn, part of the sale leadership team baked them and brought them almost still warm from the oven. They sold for $2,100. Thank you!

Other large items in addition to the traditional hand crafted quilts were a Darian Durant jersey, a 1954 Chev Bel Air Sedan, a grandfather clock, a ping pong table, a motorized chair, roll top desk, magazine rack, and child's pedal quad. In total 43 quilts were crafted and sold. Thank you!

People were able to browse and shop at the Thrift shop, Ten Thousand Villages, artisan kiosk, craft tables, plant garden. A large number of children were entertained at the Kids Corner, and coins were donated to enable the building of sand dams. And then there were the food booths and opportunities to visit friends and family at this annual community building event.

Six anniversary cakes(to feed at least 400 people) were baked and decorated by Jewel Bueckert. At the end of the day, not a single piece was left. Thank you for helping to celebrate God's bounty in our lives and for sharing of resources to make a difference for good in our world.

Although not all the bills and donations have been processed, the sale will have brought in around $100,000 dollars for the work of disaster relief, sustainable community development and justice and peace building work, all in the name of Christ. Thank you!

Back to MCCS's 50th Anniversary - index Or; Jan: IVEP | Feb: Thrift Shop Movement | Mar: Canadian Foodgrains Bank | Apr: Ten Thousand Villages | May: Restorative Justice | June: Relief Sale | July: Refugee Assistance