When students at Neerlandia Public Christian School were asked to put together gift baskets for an auction fundraiser, their response was astonishing.
The expectation was 10 baskets, one from each grade, including kindergarten.
Instead the children brought in enough items to fill 30 baskets, proving again that Neerlandians never do things by halves.
What goodies did they come up with? Candies, books, teas, a coffee maker, gift certificates … and much, much more.
The youngsters’ baskets proudly took their place among the piles of other auction gifts displayed at Neerlandia Christian Reformed Fellowship Hall last Saturday.
More than 210 people flocked to the hall for a spectacular event organized by the Neerlandia Christian Education Society (NCES). It featured a sumptuous dinner, entertainment from pianist and musical humorist Matt Day, and silent and live auctions.
Among those who attended were Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec, Barrhead County councillor Dennis Nanninga and Pembina Hills regional division trustees Kim Webster and Dale Schaffrick.
MC was associate principal of NPCS Prakash Raju, and the auctioneer was Charles Parsons, whose rapid-fire delivery and comedic repartee illuminated the evening.
“We are hoping for as much support as possible from the community,” said NCES chairperson Sonja De Waal.
She said funds would be targeted in three areas. Firstly, they will help send teachers to conferences and workshops in the furtherance of Christian education in public schools.
Secondly, money will support the “express” bus, used for transporting children.
Lastly, funds will go to the Student Council and help pay for basketball wall padding.
De Waal said originally her organization had set itself a goal of $18,000 to $20,000.
Although all the money has not yet been added up, it is believed as much as $25,000 or more was raised.
Throughout the evening people took time to view the auction items, which included everything from golfing, kayaking and river boat excursions, to Ski-Doo helmets and coolers, from fishing packs and clothes horses to cinnamon buns, honey, jams and pies. Many of the items were donated by businesses, but there were also plenty of handcrafted goods.
The event started with a dinner, the main meal catered by Barrhead Canadian Reformed Ladies Aid. It included beef and ham, salad, beans, corn, mashed potatoes and assorted vegetables.
Teachers and parents had contributed to a wide selection of desserts, from pies and trifles to, brownies, cheesecake and fruit.
While people dined, multi-talented Day played keyboards taking requests. He then turned to the comic part of his varied routine. It included changing the lyrics to well-known songs, and humorous videos.
On a more serious note, Day told of the power of music, and the way he once got through to an Alzheimer’s patient by singing “Lady in Red” during a Christmas concert.
The song triggered a memory in the man, who squeezed his wife’s hand.
“For a minute and a half he had a Christmas,” he said.
After Day left the stage, the evening culminated with the auctions … and the stage was set for the silver-tongued Charles Parsons.
