Photo courtesy of BELLEVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL
Belleville Mennonite School Pre-K students Cooper and Harvey Spicher hold up water toys from the school’s annual auction.

BELLEVILLE — Belleville Mennonite School’s Annual Auction turns 60 this year and has become more of a two-day event for the Mifflin County school than just an auctioneer raking in the bids.

The highlights include the school’s famous turkey dinner, kids carnival, student projects, special features, gun raffle and auctions galore — from a youth action suited for ages 18 and under, gift certificates and all kinds of merchandise.

“All proceeds of this auction will be used for instructional materials, technology, and student services at BMS, benefitting more than 235 students in preschool through grade 12, Belleville Mennonite Development Director Gwen Renno said.

“Participation from our friends and community creates a unique and encouraging time of fellowship, while equipping the school with funds to offset the difference between tuition and the full cost of education,” Renno added. “In turn, students are directly impacted with a different and deeper educational experience that provides direction for life.”

Last year’s auction raised more than $100,000 for the school.

This year, the auction kicks off on Friday, April 25 and ends on Saturday, April 26, at the school. The schedule includes:

Friday, April 25

• Turkey dinner, 5 to 7 p.m. The café staff will prepare a delicious and bountiful dinner.

• Youth auction, 6 p.m. This special auction, which began several years ago, invites ages 18 and under to bid on items with their parents or grandparent’s registered number. It’s a fun way to engage with and encourage the generosity of the next generation.

• Gift certificate auction and ag features, a favorite for many with certifications for everything from mulch and flowers to haircuts, groceries and auto care.

Saturday, April 26

Breakfast, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The menu includes fresh fruit, coffee and donuts. Additional food, such as burgers, hoagies, soft-serve ice cream, strawberry pies and homemade baked goods will be available throughout the day.

Kids carnival, 9 a.m. to noon. It features fun inflatables, sno cones and face painting.

Merchandise auction, 9 a.m. Quilts will be sold at the top of each hour and interspersed throughout the morning.

Student projects, 10:30 a.m. All Pre-K students at BMS students contribute to the auction. The youngest grades — Pre-K to second-grade students — are creating personalized flowering planters (decorated pot, planted seeds); third- and fourth- graders write letters to request donations from parks and businesses across the state and country; students will be invited to present any donations received as a result of their letter during this special auction time. Fourth-graders are also raising a show rabbit this year. Fifth-graders are personalizing an outdoor Jenga game; and sixth- through 12th-graders are compiling a variety of gift cards from their favorite local restaurants to create a special Dine Around Town collection. Additionally, they’ll be a special silent raffle featuring kids’ items.

Special Features, 11 a.m. Outdoor items like a swing set, special packages, unique experiences and a storage building made by BMS Workplace Skills class students will be up for grabs.

Gun Raffle Drawing, noon. Tickets are available at local businesses throughout our community and can be purchased until Saturday morning.

Fund-A-Need Project support a small campus enhancement. Since it was introduced in 2020, BMS has replaced the kitchen dishwasher, purchased and installed adjustable basketball hoops in the school’s gymnasium and provided funding to help relocate the Pre-K playground to a safer location. This year’s goal is $15,000 to cover the costs of renovating the stage area, which is used throughout the year for concerts, student performances, worship, storage and overflow seating for sporting events.

“Bidding on the Fund A Need feature has grown each year and become an anticipated part of the auction as attendees experience an incredible outpouring of generosity from across the audience and share the joy of giving,” Renno said.