Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction more important than ever

While 2010 may seem like an eternity ago to some, for the people of Haiti, it remains a constant thorn in their side, with the devastation of a monstrous earthquake that year having left scars that simply won’t heal.

Haiti still has not fully recovered from the devastation of that event that claimed the lives of approximately 220,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless, many of them living in poorly built and exposed housing.

Since that time more earthquakes, hurricanes and floods have followed, making efforts to rebuild infrastructure and return people to some sense of normalcy even more difficult.

Adding fuel to the fire has been the efforts of a variety of groups in Haiti trying to control the reconstruction process and the funding, all in the name of greed and power rather than in love and compassion.

However, a saving grace has been many Christian organizations that have sent funding, volunteers, food, education and compassion.

In an extremely important weekend, the Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction will take place in Mt. Hope Aug. 30-31 at the Mt. Hope Event Center, where a flurry of activity, an enormous auction and a chance to meet with some of the mission workers serving the people of Haiti will take place.

The Haiti Benefit Auction is a cooperative effort of many churches and individuals to bring relief to the hungry, the sick, the naked and the homeless people of Haiti, with the ultimate goal of winning them to Christ.

In crafting together the benefit, the hearts of the people of Amish Country are preparing to reach out and span the distance between Haiti and Holmes County one dollar at a time, with the ultimate goal set to benefit the hurting people of Haiti, who continue to find hope despite the ongoing poverty, disasters and hardships they are facing.

The 38th annual Ohio Haiti Benefit Auction will kick off Friday evening with a huge meal of barbecued chicken, Mississippi catfish, seafood, dressing, noodles, Haitian rice and beans, pie, ice cream and more. The a cappella musical group Surrendered will perform from 7-8:30 p.m., followed by keynote speaker Nelson Schrock, who will provide insight into the plight of the Haitian people and how mission workers are seeking to touch the lives of the people there.

Despite the many struggles, the people of Haiti continue to emanate hope and positive attitudes, showcasing faith, a commonality of most hardworking people of Haiti.

For those wishing to get a leg up on discovering some great buys or locating that ideal quilt, all quilts and furniture for the Saturday auction will be on display for patrons to peruse, beginning at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, the day will begin early with a huge breakfast buffet starting at 6 a.m. The auction in the event center will kick off at 8 a.m. with furniture hitting the auction block at 9:30 a.m. and the quilt auction beginning at 10 a.m. The tool auction will start at 8:30 a.m., and there will be a firewood auction starting at 10 a.m., followed by the outdoor items.

Every penny raised at the auction will go directly toward the many missions that are providing for the people of Haiti to invest in schools, food programs, orphanages, fresh well drilling operations and Christian literature.

For organizers and those who contribute financially, this event is about providing hope and support.

In addition, there will be many booths featuring most of the outreach ministries impacting the people of Haiti, and attendees can talk with the representatives of the organizations.

Highlighting the auction this year will be some high-end items, along with plenty of items that most anyone can afford to purchase. Among the highlighted auction items will be a 32-by-50-foot garage with a 6-foot overhang front, storage barns, buggies and carts, a Toro zero-turn mower, a Gravely 52-inch stand-on mower, e-bikes, quilts, a Jura E6 coffee machine, sewing machines, a hunting blind, a Hillsboro aluminum trailer, poly lawn furniture, a 10-by-20-foot cabin from Miller Storage Barns, sporting goods, loads of Amish-made furniture and so much more.

Don’t miss this opportunity to not only purchase some fantastic items, but also to support the people of Haiti and the missions making strides toward bringing relief, food, education, water and the Gospel of Christ to the masses.