On Wednesday, July 29, Marlene Suter and I took the rest of the 224 comforters Piecemakers made during the 2019-2020 year to MCC Connections in Kidron.  (We had not been able to fit all of them into two vehicles when we drove up seven weeks ago.)  We also took the quilt that Marlene Suter, Joanna Suter, Joyce Wyse, and I pieced last fall at Lakeside.  It was hand quilted this winter and spring by Sarah Basinger, a cousin of Marlene’s from Bluffton.  It will be entered into the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale quilt auction this year.

               
Mennonite Central Committee depends on over 35 annual relief sales throughout the United States and Canada to support many of its peace and development programs and material aid distribution.  The relief sales raise millions of dollars each year ($4,457,000 in 2019) through food and other sales booths, the My Coins Count program, and woodworking and quilt auctions. 

However, while MCC is celebrating 100 years of world relief efforts this year, many of the relief sales were severely limited and many cancelled due to restrictions and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Black Swamp Benefit in Archbold, Ohio, where some of our quilts have been donated, was one of the relief sales that was cancelled.  However, some of the relief sales are attempting to continue to raise funds for MCC by holding online auctions.

The Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, normally held the first Saturday in August, has decided to hold an online auction only rather than a physical event and auction this year.  The online auction has been delayed to give donors time to finish quilts, since sewing circles have not been able to meet, and gather furniture.   Our quilt, Midnight Nine Patch, will be sold during the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale online quilt auction held September 26-October 3.  More details and photos of the quilts and other items for auction will be available in the future at http://www.ohiomccreliefsale.org.