Features

Under the Big Tent

By Lisa Amstutz
August 9, 2011
325

A flurry of activity last week transformed the Central Christian School campus into a circus-like atmosphere complete with cotton candy and a big striped tent. This was no circus, however, but a well-orchestrated volunteer effort resulting in $308,625 to support the worldwide relief, development and peace work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Since 1966, the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale has offered area churches and individuals an opportunity to help people in need by donating to or participating in the sale. I believe we are called, when we see someone in need, to help them, said Lonita Mast, board president. Mast estimates that around 400 volunteers are involved with the sale, doing everything from parking cars to putting up tents to running activities. Its a truly phenomenal, dedicated lot of people, she said. Board member Gloria Miller said she is amazed at how so many people work together to make the sale happen each year. Thats what its all aboutpeople working together. Everyone volunteers their time to help others. Mast was pleased with this years grand total, which was within a few hundred dollars of last years figure despite a slightly smaller crowd. She was also thankful that the rain held off until the sale was over. I dont think its a coincidenceI believe there was a blessing on us this weekend, she said. Although the sweltering temperatures and threat of rain may have kept a few people away, they didnt put a damper on the Relief Sale festivities. Friday evenings concert by Cantore, a 10-member mens vocal group from Virginia, was well-received. Saturday mornings 5K Run for Relief drew record numbers of participants and was followed by cornhole and volleyball tournaments. New activities this year included hot air balloon rides and a bungee jump. Ron Martin headed up this years Penny Power project, which brought in $70,678.25. More than 30 churches in Wayne, Holmes, Tuscarawas and Stark counties collected change in large clear water jugs and brought it to the Relief Sale, where volunteers sorted and ran it through a change machine. The money will be used for water-related MCC projects. One such project, Martin said, is the building of sand dams in Kenya. MCC hopes to build 92 this coming year. Each dam creates an oasis that can store enough water for 20,000 people for one year. The dams cost approximately $30,000 each. More than 200 quilted items were auctioned Saturday for a total of $77,089. The highest selling quilt, Country Wreaths, was made by Mattie Miller, of Millersburg, and sold for $2,500. The quilt was both embroidered and appliqued. The sale of 370 wood items brought in a total of $46,212 this year. Garnering the top bid was a camelback trunk at $1,050, while a Keim burl walnut wall clock sold for $900. Other top sellers were a Ventrac tractor at $15,000 and a John Deere mower at $5,200. Although the auctions are certainly a draw, along with such treats as piping hot egg rolls and apple dumplings, they arent the sales only attraction. I come to see the people, said Eric Ramseyer of Dalton. Florence Steiner, of Dalton, felt the same way. I like the community aspect of the relief sale. I get to see people I havent seen for a long time, she said. Eleven-year-old Emma Zuercher and her cousin, Adriane Zuercher, said they like the Relief Sale even better than the county fair. We get to walk around with our friends and see a lot of people that we know. The egg rolls are always really good and its fun to spend money because it goes to a good cause, they both agreed. The Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale is held annually on the first weekend in August. For more information, visit their website at http://www.ohiomccreliefsale.org/.

Under the Big Tent

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