SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Mennonite Friendship Communities annual Benefit Day Auction brought in nearly $30,000 to help residents who have run out of financial resources.

By the end of the day, the auction brought in $28,528, after expenses, for the Continuing Care Endowment Fund.

“Overall we were pleased with the results of the sale given some of the changes we made this year,” Lowell Peachey, president and CEO, said. “As always, the benefit day is a great time of fellowship with the many people from this community that support mfc’s mission and ministry.”

The cookie room, which was brought back by popular demand, brought in $512. Silent auction gift baskets earned $685 and the breakfast brought in $706. The Yoder Amish school provided lunch, sharing the proceeds with mfc. Cash donations to the sale totaled $7,670.

Some larger items brought in more than $1,000 each. Some of the big-ticket items are as follows: 2005 Toyota Camry at $4,000; John Deere riding tractor lawn mower at $1,500; Sturdi-Bilt shed at $1,450; Yoder smoker at $875.

Quilt sales went up to $600 and a famous photo of the Nickerson tornado by Hans Mast sold for $425. The photo was featured on CBS Evening News.

Kansas City Chiefs tickets, off-road diesel and two bags of alfalfa seed all sold for $400.

The next fundraiser for mfc’s Continuing Care Endowment Fund is the Liverwurst and Fried Mush dinner on Friday, Feb. 26.

In the meantime, anyone who would like to donate to help residents may do so by sending a check to 600 W. Blanchard, South Hutchinson, KS 67505 or by visiting www.MennoFriend.com.