Business brisk at sale for Sehnerts

• Benefit rummage sale

Orenda Young, left, and her friend Halie Cross, right, both of Mitchell, check out the donated items available Saturday during a weekend benefit rummage sale and raffle to aid the Sehnert family. (Ross Dolan/Republic)

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Its upper windows boarded like bandaged eyes, the former Sehnert home at 222 W. Sixth Ave. in Mitchell still appeared bereft and empty Saturday.

It’s been more than a month since the April 20 fire that, despite heroic actions of bystanders and firefighters, eventually took the life of 3-year-old Jaxon Sehnert and nearly claimed his brother Jacob. Their father Jordon Sehnert had only recently returned from a military tour in Iraq and Kuwait.

Neighbors haven’t forgotten the Sehnerts and their loss. Over the weekend, volunteers, with the help of numerous donations from Mitchell businesses, ran a rummage sale and raffle to raise money for the family’s expenses.

Sarina Young, 30, whose mother Tami Young lives across the street from the scorched house, doled out a shredded beef sandwich to Ashley Fisher, 20, of Mitchell, who stopped to eat after browsing the sale. Young’s sister Merri Royce, 30, also helped out.

“Keep the change,” said Fisher, smiling as she refused two singles from the five dollar bill she handed Young. Fisher said she felt good about doing what she could to help, and proudly displayed a picture frame and some pictures she picked up at the rummage sale.

Across the street, Sehnert neighbor Jessica Cross, who lives east of the burned home, ran a second sale in her driveway with the aid of her father Mick Holland.

Tami Young, 52, watched over another sale.

“It’s been on and off all day,” she said. “Most of the items for sale are things people donated.” Halie Cross, 10, and her friend Orenda Young, 12, had put out signs for the event earlier in the day.

Halie recalled the night of the fire and its aftermath.

It was so scary. They lost their two dogs, too,” she said, hugging Dorothy, the Youngs’ pet Chihuahua. Shifting to happier times, she added, “We played with (Jaxon and Jacob) a lot. We went to the Ramada pool.” Jessica Cross had no update on the Sehnerts’ future plans. “I’m sure they’ve been busy, and we haven’t been able to connect.” She said the weekend event was the second fundraiser for the Sehnerts. “A lot of people have been very generous, and even if they didn’t buy anything, they stuffed money in the jar.” Mick Holland nodded in agreement. “Some didn’t even know what the event was for, and they still donated.” No tally was immediately available on the funds raised.

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