The 47th annual New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is a major fundraiser for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), the development and relief agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches.
Every year since 1967, over 15,000 people have attended the sale to purchase food, quilts, new sporting and outdoor equipment, furniture, flowers, plants and much more.
Last year’s sale raised $345,000 with proceeds going to support basic human needs and peace and justice initiatives of MCC world-wide.
The sale will take place at the fairgrounds, located at 251 Jacob St., beginning May 24, from 5:30pm to 9pm and May 25, from 7am to 3pm.
On May 24, the events begin with a barbecue and quilt preview. At 7pm the silent auction starts as well as the feature event of the evening, a live furniture auction of high quality new, local and international handcrafted furniture made by Mennonite artisans and craftspeople.
Canada’s largest charity quilt auction begins May 25 at 8:30am and is the signature event of the Relief Sale. In 2012 it raised $128,000. This year 175 quilts will be auctioned.
The outdoor auction begins at 10:30am.
Children can enjoy entertainment by musicians, clowns and face painters, inflatable castles and a mini auction of merchandise for children at 11am Registration is from 10 to 11am.
For a full listing of quilts, activities and other sale items visit www.nhmrs.com. For more information call or text John Reimer, New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Board Chair, at 519-573-1710.
