Mitchell Christian auction to put 2,000 items up for bid

Autographed jerseys and footballs from Chad Greenway, concert and event tickets, weekend getaways, antique furniture, tools and a even a 1993 Ford pickup are just a few of the items that will be up for bid at this weekend’s 26th annual Mitchell Christian Auction.

Wednesday, preparations were well under way for the event, which will be Friday and Saturday at the school. The auction, which helps subsidize the cost of tuition for the school’s 200 students, is a highlight of the year for school officials, parents and students alike.

Last year, $117,000 was raised. The event will run 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The doors will open an hour early each day so auction items can be viewed.

MCS Development Director Greg Buche said usually approximately 500 people typically attend the twoday event.

“It’s just a fun time,” he said. “There’s a tremendous amount of support for Mitchell Christian’s education.”

Buche said it’s a family event. Besides the live auction, there is a silent auction, kids’ games, massages and a concession stand. Such a wide variety of activities, along with the variety of items up for auction, keep people coming back each year, he said.

Buche said about 30 percent of items are new and the rest are lightly used.

Longtime auction committee member Kathy Hofer and others this week have spent time entering each auction item into a computer. Wednesday afternoon, the total of items hovered around 1,700, and Hofer expected the total would easily surpass 2,000.

Hofer, whose children graduated from Mitchell Christian and who now has a granddaughter in the school, is thankful for the support the community gives the auction.

“Without the fundraisers, tuition would have been a lot higher,” she said.

Hofer said that some 400 businesses and families contribute each year to the auction.

Volunteer auctioneers for this year will be Clyde Olson, Ralph Kiner, Rodney Olivier, Alvie Timmermans, Brad Veurink, Dennis Martin and Kenny Rus, all of whom hail from Mitchell or the surrounding area.

“They have a wonderful time — its fun to watch them,” said Hofer.

Buche believes the success of the event is a direct result of the community.

“In my years of being here in Mitchell, I’ve just been in awe of how supportive the community is of MCS. I hear positive things about what’s going on here and how they just appreciate having it here,” he said. “I think they believe in Christian education and appreciate what we do for the kids and for the community.”

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