The volunteer effort behind last weekend’s relief auction and bazaar in Coaldale is about more than a two-day effort.
The MCC Relief Auction and Bazaar rolls into Coaldale once every three years, it is hosted in rotation with similar events in Didsbury and Sherwood Park.
The number of volunteers involved in the planning, preparation and presentation of the fundraiser is almost impossible to count.
Involvement came at many levels, from someone being willing to bake a pie all the way up to committee members who have committed hours, weeks and even months in getting ready for the weekend. There are volunteers who spend three years preparing for the next event, particularly those who create the handmade quilts that are a popular item at the auction.
The number of volunteers it takes to put on the event, from young children learning the ropes for the first time to the older generation with several auctions and bazaars under their belts, stands as a testament to how many people believe in the work MCC is doing locally, nationally and internationally.
The amount of money raised is by itself amazing and highlights the commitment people in the region have to further the cause of peace and helping out those less fortunate around the world.
The work of the Mennonite Central Committee is far reaching and even those who are not of the Mennonite faith or cultural background can still get behind projects which, at their heart, are about helping others.
Those who volunteered their time for the weekend’s activities and events, can be proud of what they have accomplished and the benefit the funds will bring to a host of programs both in Alberta, across the country and around the world.
Those who missed out on the event should make a note of the 2013 auction and bazaar which will once again be hosted in Coaldale in June.
The weekend, in addition to raising funds, also gives participants an opportunity to learn more about what the MCC is all about and the projects and programs the organization is involved in around the globe.
The food booths on Saturday afternoon also provided a bit of a cultural experience for those who wanted to sample some of the Mennonite favourites while also contributing to a good cause. It really was a win-win event for everyone involved.