The quilts auctioned at the Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale will bring more than warmth and decoration to those who buy them.

Sales of the popular quilts also will raise money for the Mennonite Central Committee, an international relief organization that provides assistance to countries throughout the world.

This year marks the 27th annual Iowa Mennonite Relief Sale, which takes place Friday and Saturday at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.

Items for auction include 121 quilts as well as furniture items and general merchandise, such as meats and cheeses, sale director Keith Hostetler said. Mennonite churches from across the state participate in the yearly event, he said.

The highest earning quilt last year, a wall hanging that had a picture of Christ holding a lamb, received $7,000, Hostetler said. This year, Hostetler said he expects six to eight quilts to receive more than $2,000.

The Mennonite Relief Sale is the largest quilt auction in the state.

“We’ve got some very beautiful quilts,” he said. “Please don’t come looking for bargains” because the event is a fundraiser.

Quilts for auction range in size from 9-by-9 inch to large enough for king-size beds.

This year’s event also features Peter Dyck,a 91-year-old man from Pennsylvania who has been involved with the MCC since before World War II, Hostetler said. His talks during both days of the event will include stories from his work in England, Holland, Germany, South America and Europe.

The first auction will be 7:30 p.m. Friday, with general merchandise, several other large items and a variety of in-home meals ranging in cuisine from Indian food to roast leg of lamb.

In the Iowa event’s history, more than $2.5 million has been sent to the MCC for international relief.

Mennonite Relief Sales are in 30 to 40 locations nationwide and in Canada, Hostetler said.

During fiscal year 2005, the MCC provided material or food assistance to 21 countries and financial support to 70 countries, he said.

The MCC also runs the Crowded Closet, a thrift shop located at 1213 S. Gilbert Court in Iowa City.

Along with quilts, items for auction range from cookbooks, cider and cheeses to handmade oak and walnut furniture.

Children will also be able to take part in an auction where kids are the ones allowed to do bidding on smaller items, such as stuffed animals.

Other children’s activities include a bounce house, bean bag toss, face painting and buggy rides.

Tags: America, Canada, Europe, food, food assistance, Furniture, Germany, India, Iowa, Iowa City,