Festival, Relief Sale and Auction

Each year, several festivals are held in BC to raise funds for MCC’s work overseas. There are four festivals held in Abbotsford, Black Creek , Kelowna and Prince George. Together they raised more than $400,000 for relief work in 1998. In 1999, the Abbotsford festival alone raised the same amount underlining the fact that this is our most important fundraising event of the year. Thousands of volunteers make it possible and we are grateful for each person who takes part in these events.

The Abbotsford Festival is always held on the third weekend of September. The other festival dates vary for year to year. Our calendar will post those dates when they are available.

Abbotsford Report:

The Central Fraser Valley Festival, Relief Sale and Auction is one of the major events in our community. It is not only a way to raise funds but it is people coming together to share bread, to celebrate the abundance of what God has given us, and to acknowledge that together we can make a difference in the world.

There are more than 24 sales in the U.S. and 14 in Canada that raise over $6 million (Cdn) annually to assist people in Korea, Honduras, Sudan, Bangladesh and many other places in the world. In BC sales are held in Black Creek in May, Abbotsford and Prince George in September and Kelowna in November. Each sale is unique in the way it operates, but there is tremendous enthusiasm and much energy and hard work that goes into each one.

1999 marked another milestone for the Abbotsford Festival. It was our 30th anniversary sale and was another opportunity to witness to God's acts of grace toward us and to minister in the name of Christ.

Highlights:

• The MCC BC Relief Sale Fundraising Banquets in Vancouver, Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack. "I was a Stranger and You Invited Me in" was the theme for the banquets which raised $38,000
• 30th Anniversary Festival Relief Sale and Auction held September 17-19 which brought in: $400,000
• The 30km Walk/Run/Bike-a-thon for Bangladesh
• MCC Relief Sale Benefit Fellowship Luncheons - a new feature and opportunity to raise funds for the Relief Sale.
• MCC Quilt Displays in the Clearbrook, Vancouver, and Whiterock Public Libraries as well as at the Arts and Peace Festival and MEI Art Show also drew attention to the work these volunteers do in support of the Relief Sale.

Okanagan MCC Relief Society

MCC Okanagan is made up of representatives from over 15 churches in the Valley, Kamloops, and Grand Forks. Our board is currently overseeing MDS, thrift store in Kelowna, Ten Thousand Villages in Penticton, Supportive Care Services in Penticton and Kelowna. Our main objective is for our constituents to hear and see what MCC is doing worldwide, as well as at home.

We appreciate the help and support from MCC BC offices and directors. A highlight this year was the opportunity for two members of our board, Ed Rempel and June Friesen, to go on an MCC learning tour to Jamaica and Haiti for two weeks. We are enriched by that experience and hope that our visit was encouraging to the workers there.

Highlights of past year:

• 1999 - February 12: Wanda Kraybill reported on her work in Iraq.
• 1999 - April 16: Spring banquet with featured speaker Jim Hirshberger from Harrisonburg, Virginia who reported on Hurricane Mitch. Raised $7,000.
• 1999 - April 24 - May 8: Ed Rempel went to Jamaica and Haiti on a learning tour with six others from B.C.
• 1998 - October 18: Festival of Praise Okanagan Choir with conductor Leroy Wiens raised funds for MCC BC and Okanagan Gleaners. Total $7,500.
• 1998 - November 14: Fall Sale raised $7,500.