Mennonite Weekly Review

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A buzz filled the air upon entering the doors of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.

The low hum came from three auctions in action at the same time and coins racing through coin counters at the Penny Pow-er station at the Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale April 3-4.

The sale raised $302,000 for MCC. The quilt sale contributed $122,195 to that total, and the country auction made $39,668.

“We are asked to do many benefit auctions throughout the year,” said Orpha Longenecker, an auctioneer with Petersheim & Longenecker. “This one is really important to us. People that give back inspire us.”

Along with the Quilt Auction that Petersheim & Longenecker oversee, the room had areas designated for children’s activities, plants and flowers, books, crafts and products from a Ten Thousand Villages store. Homemade food lined the entire outer edge of the room.

As quality food is not complete without friends to share it with, tables and chairs were set up for such visiting.

“I am enjoying the aspects of community and seeing people that I haven’t seen in a long time,” Joella Garber said.

A sale booth also encouraged friendship. The Share-a-Meal fundraiser invited individuals and families to host a meal at their home. Hosts put their addresses, dinner menus and maximum number of guests on note cards. Those cards were displayed at the booth, and passersby were invited to purchase the dinner to make connections with old friends or new.

The sale also focused on global community. Volunteers donated material items, time and money to relieve suffering around the world.

“I believe in MCC and am glad to give the profits to them,” said Ray Brubaker, executive director of the Pennsylvania division of Choice Books and volunteer at the Choice Books stand. “There is blessing in volunteering, and I know that what I am doing will help the cause of MCC.”

The pinnacle of giving at the sale came at noon Saturday with the auction of the Good Shepherd Traveling Quilt for $6,600. The quilt travels to MCC relief sales nationwide. Individuals receive nothing in return when donating to this quilt. The funds raised house, clothe and educate children who have been abandoned and abused.

“People give and give and give, and it brings me to tears,” Longenecker said.