The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, April 7-8, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, supports Mennonite Central Committee’s efforts to bring change to those in need throughout the world.
Last year, KMRS donated $620,000 to MCC’s efforts.
“I’ve come to learn from MCC that change is more than offering relief supplies after a disaster,” said Becky Blough, KMRS publicity. “They come to walk along with people until healing and recovery occurs.”
One example is MCC’s work in Haiti. On Jan. 12, 2010, the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was devastated by an earthquake. Five years after a devastating earthquake tore across Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns, MCC had spent $16.9 million to help Haitians recover.
In the months after the quake, MCC responded to immediate needs, providing food assistance, cash allowances, water filters and thousands of MCC comforters and relief kits.
MCC also sent teams of structural engineers to inspect the safety of public buildings and to instruct masons in safe building techniques.
“I learned from MCC’s work in Haiti that the people didn’t want to be sustained by others,” Blough said. “They wished to sustain themselves. They needed a partner to listen and walk with them so they could do for themselves.”
Relief sale events
The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale offers 24 hours of bidding on quilts and vehicles and tractors, purchasing crafted items, engaging in activities for kids and enjoying a variety of foods at the fairgrounds in Hutch.
KMRS features five diverse auctions, children’s activities, international and local crafts, a cafeteria-style meal on Friday and Saturday serves traditional Mennonite foods and more.
Around 70 Kansas Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and Amish congregations join together—using an all-volunteer staff—to organize, donate items and funds to make the sale possible.
Five auctions
The five auctions are the Quilt Auction, featuring around 200 hand-crafted quilts and quilt-related items (kansas.mccsale.org).
The General Auction features a New Hustler Raptor SD donated by Excel Industries Inc., a 1951 Massey Pony, a 1954 John Deere 40, a 1937 WC Allis, a 1949 8N Ford, a 1941 DV Case, a 1947 H IHC, a 1928 Chevy Coupe and a 1962 Ford F-600.
Also on the auction block are several vehicles, including a 2001 Mercedes E430, 2005 four-wheel-drive Chevy Trailblazer LS, 2002 Honda Accord LX, 1999 Olds Alero, 2004 Starcraft and other machines.
Also up for bid are a catered smoked pork chop meal for up to 25 people by Keith’s Foods, tools, antiques and various hand-crafted Mennonite furniture and children’s toys.
The Silent Auction features a single night stay at Champion Ridge Inn, Kingman, four greens fees tickets and carts at Sand Creek and hand-crafted items.
Also on the schedule is a Kids’ Auction at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Pride of Kansas Building, and a Surplus Auction.
Also being sold are international and Kansas craft items, 1,000 garden plants, souvenirs, baked foods, cheeses, hams and sausage.
More to do
The children’s activity building includes nine-hole mini golf and various inflatables donated by Inflate-O-Fun Inc. of Inman, for all ages—all located inside the Pride of Kansas Building.
Traditional Mennonite and American foods also served throughout the fairgrounds.
A 5K Run for Relief is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Rice Park (off the fairgrounds.) Entry forms are available at kansas.mccsale.org or contact Angie Teeter at 620-327-4434.
KMRS begins at 4 p.m. Friday with food service in all buildings. Auction items open for viewing at 4 p.m. along with the sale of priced items.
The Silent Auction opens bidding at 5 p.m. in Sunflower South and the General Auction starts at 6 p.m. Friday in Sunflower Building North.
The sale continues on Saturday with breakfast service starting at 7 a.m., sale of priced items at 8 a.m. and the Silent Auction reopens bidding at 8 a.m. while the General and Quilt auctions start at 8:45 a.m.
The weekend concludes with the Surplus Auction in Sunflower South starting about 2:30 p.m.
