It’s Over for 2015

The 2015 Relief Sale is over. The fairgrounds have returned to their empty look. Everything is packed up until next year. That will be the big 5 0 for the Northern Michigan Relief Sale. As you anticipate that, here’s a recap of this year.

Hot weather and rain brought some challenges to the week. Friday’s concert was rained on, but the music continued with listeners gathered on the stage with the performers. Due to a mix-up the scheduled group did not show. The Bizon and Watkoski family with the polka queen were on hand to give the evening a good round of lively music. The Fun Run was held despite the surprise of rain part way through the course. Participants came from as far away as Kansas to join in the run.

Saturday we had fine weather and lots of people showed up to help and participate in the various sales and auction. The traditional opening auction item of a loaf of bread brought the unprecedented bid of $2,500.  The total amount raised for MCC was in the neighborhood of $156,000. That’s impressive for such a small town to generate. Though we do get visitors from many different places to the sale and that helps a lot. We had a classic car in the auction this year, a 57 Ford, that went for $5,750. That seems a fitting price for it. The quilt auction itself was up by about $13,000 over last year. Thirteen quilts went for $1,000 or over with the highest quilt bid at $4,300. That’s hard to top. Also two quilts were over $3,000 and two over $2,000. But you know all the hours and hard work that goes into each one. The blessing Bids were down a little, however the response to the crisis in Nepal was terrific.

Thanks go first to God who is our motivation and provider for the sale. Thanks also go to the many volunteers who worked hard to bring the sale to readiness. And we really thank those who gave monetarily through donations and purchases. Without all of these we could not do this. MCC can do much good in the world with the monies raised this year.

Don’t forget to come back next year. Set aside the first Friday and Saturday in August 2016 for another great weekend of helping others. You can plan on some special events for the 50th sale. See you there.