Still going strong after 50 years
Mennonite Relief Sale held last weekend in New Hamburg brings in $310,000 for MCC
IF THE LINE-UP OF traffic into and out of New Hamburg this weekend was any indication, Mennonite Central Committee benefitted greatly from the 50th annual New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale.
MCC executive director, Rick Cober Bauman says it’s a “near miraculous event.”
“Fundraisers tell me that fundraising events shouldn’t last more than 10 or 15 years at the most. To have the same kind of general style of event, obviously with lots of adjustments and additions over the 50 years, but to still have it going strong is almost miraculous. We’re really just very blessed and grateful for the many people that helped make it happen this year, but of course those in the previous 49 who built the legacy that this year’s and next year’s will build on,” he said.
They’re still working on final tallies but as of Tuesday it looked like the proceeds from the relief sale are around the $310,000 mark to help continue MCC’s work in relief, development, and peace building. It’s possible they could have raised more if it hadn’t been so hot on Saturday. Many people left by noon hour to get out of the heat, which meant food vendors who typically sell out, didn’t.
“Overall we thought the crowds were excellent both Friday night and Saturday. Quilt prices stayed pretty strong, though there wasn’t a quilt in the $40,000-range, which has only happened twice in 50 years. So not having it is a norm and when you don’t have it, it makes a bit of a difference in the overall income,” he said.
The highest priced quilt went for $3,500.
There was also some new activity this year, with baklava being sold at the 50th anniversary tent in support of Syrian refugees who’ve been displaced. Also a new family took over the ice cream making duties, which means it should continue for years to come.
“We felt like that side of the sale was very much alive and well. And the
quilt auction was just huge compared to last year. There were about 40 or 50 more quilts than in previous years. So quilting is totally healthy, it’s growing,” said Cober Bauman.
The increase in quilts was partly motivated by the anniversary and by people recognizing the work that MCC does around the world.
“So many people come to the sale who are not necessarily otherwise involved with MCC but choose to align themselves with a festival atmosphere, so that fun day out but also knowing that the excellent work that’s being done with the proceeds is something they can get behind as well. I think that makes a difference for the quilting community as well.”
He adds that the relief sale fell on the 40th anniversary of his first date with his wife so they decided to buy a quilt at the auction. It was made by someone who is not from the traditional quilt constituency of MCC.
“The quilt committee has worked very hard to make this a premier event so that quilters consider it kind of a badge of honour to have their quilt sold at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Many of those people are not otherwise part of or connected to MCC. So that only happens when you’ve worked long and hard at quality and marketing and all of those pieces,” he said.
The committee would love to see more bidders out next year because as the quilt supply grows they need a similar growth in demand for quilts so that the quilters continue to feel MCC is benefiting well from the fruits of their labour.
An estimated 4,000 people volunteer to make the relief sale come to fruition from the planning committee to the car parkers to the quilters.
“Huge thank you to the thousands of volunteers that made the day possible from the planning to the execution and the extraordinary variety of ways that people give through quilts, crafts, plants, it’s all there. Some people say it’s like the bumblebee, it shouldn’t fly and yet it flies every year. Really MCC is very blessed to be associated with the relief sale. It’s just an excellent way that the work of MCC gets some profound visibility across the region here,” he said.