Holmes County Home auction success makes it a real peoples choice
By Dave Mast
September 20, 2012
412
Im overwhelmed and grateful, said Leslee Mast, director of the Holmes County Home, following the 41st annual auction on Saturday, Sept. 15 in Holmesville.
A large crowd showed up to support the home and the efforts to create a safe and healthy environment for the many residents living there.
The festivities actually began on Friday night, Sept. 14, when 40 teams showed up to pay volleyball, and a large contingent of people showed up to watch.
For the first time ever there was a fish fry for the main meal, and Mast said that it was a huge success. Of course, to go along with the fish was plenty of hot dogs, fresh kettle corn and fry pies.
But the main function kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 15, when the auctions took center stage, led by Kaufman Realty.
To make sure patrons had plenty of fuel with which to bid, there was a full course breakfast and a chicken barbecue lunch with all the fixings.
A pair of silent auctions throughout the day led people into the auction mood, and they got to try their hand at it with the furniture auction at 9 a.m. While the main auction ran under the big tent, a secondary auction featuring smaller items was going on just to the south. The specialty auction took place at noon, and featured a post frame building and a hunting cabin, a generator, and some other big ticket items.
Around 60 quilts hit the auction block at 1 p.m., which always brings spirited bidding, and it was followed in succession by the lawn furniture, barns, horses, ponies and buggy auctions.
The auction proceeds will again go toward the continuing upkeep of the home. Through the auction, the Holmes County Home continues to excel as one of the top county homes in the state.
Mast said that she actually has had other directors of county homes throughout Ohio stop in and tour, and many of them view the facility and talk about how jealous they are with some of the things the Holmes County Home has.
Mast simply deflects all of the praise to where she feels it belongs.
I always tell people who are impressed with our facility that it all begins with the greater community, and their willingness to step in and help, said Mast. Our aid comes from the people here, and their desire to support us. We are only here because the people of Holmes County want us here, and because of that we want to make sure that the people who are here come first in their care.
The funds, nearly $180,000 this year, go to continue to provide the very best care possible for the residents of the county home. With close to 2,000 people at the auction, many of them bidding on the handmade quilts, gorgeous furniture, buildings and so many other smaller items like tools and outdoor decorations, the funds are provided annually through the auction to complete some exciting projects.
Over the past decade, since Mast stepped in as director, she has seen an incredible change in the home. Some of the projects are cosmetic, but last year they were able to install a much needed security system. In addition they did some painting, finished the beauty shop, replaced old flooring and provided clothing for residents.
This year, Mast said, nothing is yet earmarked, but they are exploring purchasing some new beds and perhaps building a restroom facility beside the pavilion so residents dont have to go back into the home when they are enjoying the pavilion.
Mast said that the evolution of the auction has grown simply because of the community and because the auction committee and the Holmes County Home Auxiliary have worked so well, hand-in-hand, to make it a success.
The only way we can survive is through the joint effort of the Amish and English communities here in the county, said Mast. Our auction committee plans all year and does an incredible amount of work, and the auxiliary really does some great things too, and they work both together and separate to make the auction possible.
