Auction helps make Holmes County Home a home
This year’s Holmes County Home Benefit Auction will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21 at the Holmes County Home near Holmesville. This annual event helps the home make provisions for residents that keep it a home away from home.
Holmes County continues to have one of the state’s finest county homes, and the upcoming 53rd annual Holmes County Home Benefit Auction Sept. 20-21 at the Holmes County Home continues to be a critical part of making that a reality.
The auction’s many volunteers and committee members canvas the area to bring in donated items that bolster the auction roster and provide funds the county home can put to use year after year.
“When you think over the past 53 years, you kind of marvel at how much financial support the county home has received from the community,” said Deb Miller, Holmes County Home executive director. “It’s pretty humbling, and to go even further, the truly remarkable thing is the sheer number of residents and families the county home has touched over that time and how much this money is crucial to making the home comfortable and making it a real home away from home for the residents.”
The funds raised from this event go directly into offering the residents the comforts of home and additional events and outings that add to the enjoyment of their experience during their stay.
Deb Miller said the home is only the home because of those types of provisions including updated rooms and facilities, renovations to the campus, and modern additions that aren’t flashy but functional.
It also provides gifts, picnics and outings, and the Holmes County Home Auction Committee and the Holmes County Home Auxiliary each play a key role in making that happen, centered around this annual auction.
The auction committee is filled with volunteers, and they know it is the kindness of the people that makes it the success it has become.
“We wouldn’t have what we have without our faithful, willing donors who have supported us over the years,” said Roman Miller, auction chairman. “Our community understands what the county home provides and the important role it plays in our community.”
Former chairman Aden Hershberger reiterated that sentiment, calling the overall effort a true blessing, one that makes life better for everyone at the county home.
The weekend festivities will begin the evening of Friday, Sept. 20 with food and volleyball highlighting the night. Starting at 5 p.m., there will be a supper of kettle stew, a fish fry, soft pretzels, coffee and soft drinks, along with a bake sale for those with sweet tooth cravings. In addition, the evening will center around a gigantic volleyball tournament that draws tons of teams and a massive crowd.
“We also invite people to stop in, and they can check out all of the items that will be at the auction,” Roman Miller said.
The auction will kick into high gear Saturday, Sept. 21, starting with a full breakfast by donation at 7 a.m. Roman Miller said if someone hasn’t experienced this breakfast, they need to stop out and get their fill of some fantastic breakfast cuisine.
There also will be a bake sale starting at 8 a.m., and from 8-11 a.m. there will be a silent auction featuring loads of items. At 10 a.m. the lunch line for the barbecued chicken dinner will open. Also by donation, the meal includes chicken, sausage, noodles, baked beans, hot dogs, potato salads, fruit, pie, homemade ice cream, soft pretzels and kettle corn. There also will be a group selling a variety of coffee.
The miscellaneous and furniture auction will begin at 8:30 a.m. A secondary auction location will kick off at 9:30 a.m. Specialty items will go at 12:30 p.m. The quilt auction will be at 1 p.m. Lawn furniture, barns, buggies and bikes will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the kids auction that allows kids to bid for some fun toys will start at 2 p.m.
Some of the featured items at this year’s event include an array of Amish handcrafted quilts, a 14-by-20-foot pavilion, a garage/shop building, an array of quality dining, bedroom and living room furniture, outdoor poly furniture, and hundreds of items to fit anyone’s budget.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who plays a role in the auction because it is a community effort that has become an annual stop for many people who put it on their calendar,” Roman Miller said.
Deb Miller said the focus of the home has always centered around creating a better quality of life for its residents, so hearing them show appreciation for everything the auction committee and the community do for them is heartwarming.
“The residents realize the importance of this event and that these people who come are here for them,” Deb Miller said. “They love the hustle and bustle of the auction and the volleyball and, of course, the food, but they recognize the purpose and are very grateful because it does add to their quality of life.”
The auction committee reiterates how important support and family are to the county home. Deb Miller said the residents not only have their own families, but also once they become members of the home, they have a new family of staff and residents who care for one another.
The Holmes County Home is located at 7260 state Route 83, south of Holmesville.