Salem Hellers Event Will Fund Mission Trips
Betty Snyder, Margaret Sensenig, and Deb Burns, have been organizing the annual lasagna dinner fundraiser at Salem Hellers Evangelical Reformed Church, 2555 Horseshoe Road, Leola, generally held on the last Saturday in February, for a number of years, and the trio runs the event like a well-oiled machine.
This year, however, the group had to deal with a dilemma in scheduling the dinner. "There are five Saturdays in February this year because there are 29 days," said Sensenig, referencing leap year. "We couldn't decide whether to do the fourth or fifth Saturday." The organizers settled on holding the pasta meal at the church on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Each year, the group enhances the atmosphere of the church fellowship hall by adding special lighting, Italian music playing in the background, and a maître d' to escort guests to their tables. For this year's event, organizers will prepare up to 100 pans of lasagna in three varieties - hamburger, hamburger and sausage, and vegetable with a red sauce. Salad, garlic bread, and beverages will also be served. A variety of desserts and coffee will be offered in a separate dessert room dubbed "Dulce Terrace." "Imagine you are (enjoying dessert) on a terrace in Italy," said Sensenig.
For several years, the approximately $2,000 raised by the team through the lasagna dinner has helped to fund a mission trip. This year, the church is sending a team to Guatemala from Monday, April 20, through Monday, April 27, to work with Barb and Denny Freed of Orphan Resources International (ORI). "(The Freeds) take teams around to different orphanages," said Sensenig, who noted that Denny is charged with purchasing food and distributing it to the orphanages. "(Denny) buys foods like powdered milk, cornmeal, flour, sugar, and all the staples they need," said Sensenig. "They don't have milk unless it's given to them by ORI."
Sensenig is not sure what type of work the team of five will perform in Guatemala, but in the past, the groups have helped out in some of the 50 orphanages supported by ORI. Sensenig said team members might be painting or visiting the warehouse to sort food or donated clothing. "We will take money for whatever they need," noted Sensenig, who added that the funds are often used to purchase underwear and shoes. "Those (items) are a big need in all the orphanages," said Sensenig. "We can go to stores there to purchase (items) in the sizes they need."
For 2021, Sensenig said church members are contemplating keeping the mission team stateside. "Next year we plan to stay in the country," she said, adding that one location under consideration is JAARS' headquarters in Waxhaw, N.C. "It's a good fit for our abilities," she added, noting that the trip will probably be scheduled in late spring or early summer. JAARS is a support arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators that brings transportation and supplies into remote areas. The Waxhaw headquarters offers pilot training along with international language training in Bible translation. Airplane repair services and other technical service areas are also located at the facility. Missionaries are housed at Waxhaw during furlough, as well.
Tickets for the lasagna dinner will be available at the door at a set price for adults. Tickets for children ages 5 to 10 will be discounted, and children age 4 and under may eat for free. Takeout meals will also be available. Readers who have questions about the event may call 717-951-9717.
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