Mennonite Relief Sale New Hamburg, Tireless Volunteers .....

Where are we today ?

Plattsville Ontario Canada
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     This weekend the Mennonite relief sale is happening in New Hamburg Ontario Canada. Another reason we are back in the area, the last Friday night and Saturday of May every year. This will be their 49th year! Since 1967 over 14 Million  dollars has been raised, not counting this year.
     I can tell you lots about it but you can read lots more on the website. Link for the Mennonite Relief Sale click HERE.
        There is an article in this year's hand out booklet about Suzie's Mom and Dad (Beatrice and Levi Kuepfer) and all the long hours of volunteer help that they have put in over the years below. Her Dad is still there this year (he is 82) keeping and eye on the setup and organizing.
       Over the years Suzie, her sister Rose and brother Dennis helped out when they were children and still do when they can. 

        Below is an article written by her mother a few years ago about the beginning of the "Donut Project" one of the many many delicious foods available on Saturday. 

The first year of the Donut Project (Reported by Beatrice Kuepfer) Suzie's mom.

How did the donut project get started? Well, in the early spring of 1967 the Relief Sale Food Convenor, Margaret Brubacher called the East Zorra W.M.S.C. and asked if they would be willing to make the yeast donuts. They discussed it and then they decided not to do it alone. They then asked my mother, Melinda Roth, if she would head up the project. She was working in the hospital at the time, and thought she had not got the time. I was asked if I would help and convene it. I decided to try it for a few years. A few volunteers such as Florence Schlegel, Annie Mae Leis, Rossetta Bender, Nelda Lichti, Alma Yantzi, Verda Swartzentruber, & I started planning for the sale. We planned to each make a double batch of dough for the sale . The recipe we used was the one that Mom had in her cook book. We went out in the morning with our dough and frying pans and started in rolling out and frying. Well did we get a surprise! People lined up & we were soon sold out. Some of us decided to go and get supplies at Murrays & went back and forth to Annie Mae Leis to keep us in business. To get the donuts to rise after they were rolled, I took them out into the car & then brought them back in. Walking though the crowd was no fun carrying trays above my head. By evening, my arms were very tired & sore. But it sure was fun when at night we counted the money and had around $250.00! Some of the bills were covered with sugar which had to be washed before they could take it to the bank! We paid for all the ingredients that year! Every year we wonder if it is worth while, so we discuss & talk about it that maybe if each person would give a donation we could have the same amount. Every year we always decided to keep on doing what we had in the past years. This was a great time for fellowship and volunteering of our time. The expenses for 30 yrs = $13,198.06 Total amount given to M.C.C = $66,980.48

the Donut Project

        Things start early, with the pancake and sausage breakfast starting around 7 am,  there is usually long lineups but things move along pretty quickly. The Quilt auction starts about 9 am and goes until all the quilts are sold, Early afternoon. We have seen quilts go for as much as 10 thousand dollars! Fresh strawberry pies made right here on the spot. Live entertainment various types of different food, homemade ice cream, auctions, crafts etc...so much to wander about and see it is a fabulous one day event.

the quilt auction

      So if you are close or not too far away do drop in and enjoy this event free admission, just  enjoy the sites and sounds, it's like nothing you have ever seen.
       Was gonna post about our day today, but seems meaningless compared to this.
        Thanks for stopping by again!

Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Spring and Summer.