The 43rd annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction, known as the largest disaster relief auction in the world, will be held at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27 and 28, beginning at 9 a.m.
The auction, in cooperation with the Atlantic Northeast and Southern districts of the Church of the Brethren, began in 1977 and has provided more than $16 million in disaster relief to victims of natural disasters both in the U.S. and internationally. Funds raised by the auction not only pay for emergency supplies for disaster victims, but also support volunteer disaster relief trips throughout the year.
In the past few years, funds and volunteers from the auction have helped immediate relief efforts and long-term cleanup and rebuilding in response to disasters ranging from earthquakes in Haiti to a tornado in Campbelltown.
Separate auctions will include the general auction, the children's auction, the quilt auction, the theme basket auction, the silent auction, the heifer auction, the coin auction and two pole barn auctions. The two-day event may have as many as five auctions taking place at once.
Children's activities this year will include the children's auction, specializing in new items for children to be bid on only by children. A Children's Store will offer quality used items, and a balloon artist will create balloon animals for children. Also available for children, weather permitting, will be free barrel train rides, pony rides for a nominal donation, face painting and a Phredd concert by WJTL personality Fred McNaughton.
Other activities will include a car show, a tractor show and the Run for Relief, a 5K walk/run. There will be an area for venders of crafts and art objects and a farmers market with fresh produce and baked goods, including hundreds of pies. Handmade on-site Amish doughnuts, soft pretzels and pizza will be available.
Artisan Alley, located in the East Hall, will feature a collection of gourmet food eateries and juried artisans. It will feature specialty coffees, German pastries, Thai rolled ice cream treats, artisan bread, specialty nuts and items from various artists.
For more details about the auction, readers may visit http://www.brethrenauction.org, call 717-723-6863 on the day of the auction or pick up an auction booklet at many local retailers.
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