HUTCHINSON — The equation for a successful sale is the right weather plus good attendance plus generous giving totaling around $469,000 raised at the 45th Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, April 13 and 14.
“We lift our eyes to the Lord with thanksgiving for the amount raised and we rejoice in our hearts for the ability to share our blessings around the world through the work of MCC,” said Matt Voth, Goessel, KMRS sale chair.
The KMRS proceeds benefit Mennonite Central Committee, a world-relief organization.
“We need to remember why we do this sale and who we are doing this for,” said Jason Regier, Buhler, KMRS board member. “It is not for us or the people that attend the sale, but the ones that can’t afford to come to the sale, and the ones that don’t even know who we are or why we care.”
MCC provides relief, development and peace programs in over 60 countries. The KMRS is organized and run by an all-volunteer staff.
“In the end, I was impressed which how easy you all (sale volunteers and committee members) make this look – thank you for that,” said Rod Chrystie, KMRS board. “I also thought about how many miracles took place right in our midst all weekend – the donations, the purchases, the family times together, the teamwork – and the recipients of these funds that will be clothed, fed, visited in prison and given a cold cup of water. I thank God for that.”
The quilt auction featured over 250 items with a final total of $120,090. Around 30 quilts garnered bids of $1,000 or more. The top two quilts sold were the “Broken Star” quilt by Yoder Amish Church at $5,000 and a Vintage Postage Stamp quilt at $4,000.
The general auction raised $65,979. The featured items generated the following bids: ’42 Studebaker $14,750, mini Prowler $1,650, Hustler Sport donated by Excel Industries $4,500, C Case Tractor $2,900, International tractor $1,600, John Deere B $4,500 and Ford 8N $4,400.
Run for Relief participation was up just a bit from last year with participants over 300, according to Amy Schmidt, Newton. The run’s total was $21,930.
Other notable totals include: Silent Auction:  $7,931; Surplus Auction: $4,016; Pennies:  $19,843.27; Children’s auction:  $588.