The TriState Relief Sale, a benefit festival and auction held at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, sponsored by hundreds of volunteers of local Mennonite churches southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland, was a great success according to Chairman Doug Berg of Springs and Hidden Valley, PA. Attendees not only went home with unique and handcrafted merchandise, but also enjoyed the wonderful foods, surrey rides, hayrides and the musical performances.
Children brought their pennies and small change to be applied to food projects in the United States and around the world. Over $17,000 of pennies have been counted so far and the number is growing. These projects are coordinated by Mennonite Central Committee, the 
relief, disaster and development organization of the Mennonite Church. During the day they knotted comforters to be sent where warm bedding is needed, filled bags with school supplies for those who would otherwise be unable to attend school, pumped water using simple pumps used in third world countries and had fun bidding at an auction just for them.
A classic car cruise-in, sponsored by the Mt. Top Cruisers car club of Oakland, MD was a fun event and attracted a large motorcycle group.
In response to the needs of cyclone victims and war refugees such as in the Darfur region of Africa, bidders donated to such items as the opportunity to sit in a handcrafted glider/rocker during the auction, a guided nature walk by a local botanist as well as lovely quilts and wall hangings and art items created especially for the TriState event. Parents and grandparents were delighted with the wide array of items for children such as porch gliders, rocking horses, battery powered ATVs and child-size picnic tables.
The TriState Relief Sale Board would like to extend their thanks to all of the volunteers, donors and attendees who made this event such a success and who have made possible a better life for many by providing shelter, help in producing enough food and encouragement for many.
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