The crowd of bidders at the annual Cannon Valley Lutheran High School auction. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT AN AUCTION. Sure, the cause may be to empty the house, settle an estate, raise monies for a charity or cause.
But the beauty of an auction lies in the bringing together of folks in a sense of community to achieve a defined goal.
Never have I felt a deeper bonding of souls than at the annual Cannon Valley Lutheran High School Auction Fundraiser, which I’ve attended for many of its past six years. I feel like I’m among family at this auction in the Morristown Community Center. We’re all there to support young people desiring a Christian education.
This Saturday, September 21, CVLHS holds its seventh annual auction event beginning at 4:30 p.m. with a silent auction (that closes at 6 p.m.) followed by the live auction at 7 p.m.
Auctioning of a beautiful pieced quilt at the CVLHS live auction. Volunteer Development Director Mike Young is pictured on the right. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Organizers—including my friend, volunteer Development Director Mike Young—work tirelessly to put this event together. Mike’s not going to like me singling him out. But sometimes that’s OK, to be publicly thanked for selfless dedication and hard work.
Embroidered dish towels were among silent auction offerings at a past auction. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Jars of pickled beets and other fresh and canned produce and baked goods are available for purchase. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
You can’t beat the food served during the CVLHS auction, like this pork sandwich, potato salad and homemade apple pie. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
So many individuals and businesses contribute to the success of this event with donations of handcrafted and new items, garden produce and baked goods, gift certificates and more, including their time.
They do it all for the students attending Cannon Valley, a grade 9 – 12 Christian high school located in Morristown.
Except this school year, classes have been temporarily suspended in order for CVLHS to repay debts, regroup and recruit more students. It’s not easy funding a private school—relying mostly on donations, gifts, congregational support, tuition and fundraisers to pay the bills. The plan is to reopen the school next fall.
“Breaking Bread,” an original painting by well-known Faribault artist Rhody Yule, will be sold during the live auction.
Now the fine folks at Cannon Valley and their supporters could have easily tossed in the proverbial towel and said, “That’s it. We’re done.” But they didn’t. They are choosing to move forward despite the financial challenges. That’s faith, dear readers. Faith.
FYI: To learn more about Cannon Valley Lutheran High School, click here.
To learn more about artist Rhody Yule, click here.
CVLHS supporter Kevin Becker repurposed this early 1900s headboard and bed frame in to a storage bench. The headboard/footboard was built by the grandfather of the Rev. Robert Snyder, a retired pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault. Trinity congregation is a CVLHS association member/supporter. Photo courtesy of CVLHS.
Here are some of the items to be sold at the live auction beginning at 7 p.m.: farm fresh hamburger; a get-away for four to Branson, Missouri; tickets to the Minnesota Zoo and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre; a week’s stay at Lake Okoboji, Iowa; two half hogs; a Cedar Garden Arbor Electric organ; handcrafted Intarsia art; a Minnesota Twins print autographed by Tony Oliva; garden art; and more.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Auction are great events for exactly the reasons you’ve stated. You certainly do not have an opportunity to acquire a pork sandwich, potato salad or homemade apple pie with those online auctions. Sense of community is spot-on; more need to embrace this. We are not just faceless individuals wandering around day to day in between work and play in the digital age. We all have something to offer and give back and share with one another. Even though I do not know Mike Young, I know many like him; these people drive the community.
You get it, Dan. Totally.
Sounds and looks like a great fundraiser for a great place . I hope that they make boatloads and can get the school back up and running again soon!
It is a great fundraiser. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Thanks Beth Ann! I hope we get a good turnout Saturday night!
Thank you for writing about our beloved school again Audrey!!! We are praying that God will provide for us to reopen next fall. My son will then graduate from CVLHS in 2015 as we had intended.
You are welcome, Joan. What are CVLHS students doing for this one school year?
The students are at various schools. My son Louis is at Grace Christian School in Mankato. Many of them are at public schools in Waterville, Waseca and Faribault. A few are doing an online option or homeschooling. I think this whole situation was the hardest for the seniors since they had been at Cannon Valley since 9th grade and won’t graduate from there now. They will still be Cannon Valley students to us though! We love all of our kiddos and wish them the best for their senior year.
I can only imagine how difficult this was for those entering their senior year. But you’re right. They are/always will be CVLHS students. Thanks for the update on where students are at this year.
Nothing better than an auction for a Good Cause! Some GREAT auction items too! I am currently working on a book drive in my community to help the adult learners at the Literacy Council. Happy Thursday:)
Oh, yeah, a book drive. I’ve done a few of those in my day.
Any suggestions you can add to have a successful book drive? I think right now it is spreading the word and reminding people of the books cluttering up their homes – ha! It certainly has been easier doing a drive for supplies for homeless pets:)
I don’t know the details of your book drive and who you are reaching out to get donations. But I was doing ours for the library at the Christian day school my kids attended. I got brown paper bags and then wrote something up and attached to the bags. The whole project was called “Bag a book.” Students were to bring the donations back to their classrooms in the bags.
Like that idea Audrey – thanks for sharing:)
You are welcome.
Oh I do hope the auction does well and that it will be God’s plan for the school to re-open. It’s so good to see communities come together and raise money for a purpose that has a high priority…. children & education! The photo of the embroidered dishtowels remind me that my mom made all the granddaughters in the family a set and gave them as wedding shower gifts. She has some tucked away for the 2 granddaughters that are still in school.
I hope the auction goes well, too.
How sweet of your mom to gift her granddaughters with embroidered dish towels. Once upon a time, I embroidered a lot.
I second the sentiment and hope that the Christian school can be fully operational very soon. Unfortunately this is happening in many places as the big [economic] crunch is now a bag full of crumbs. I haven’t heard of any other school that stopped for a year and re-grouped for a new commencement. Your comment on faith reminded me of the hymn that touches me each time I hear it, “Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.”
Thanks for your encouragement re. Cannon Valley Lutheran’s future.
I love your comments Audrey! Something my pastor said that has really changed my view of just how important Christian education is, is this: “The only thing that you can bring to heaven with you is your children. Do everything that you can do to make sure that happens.” Knowing that my children are hearing God’s word everyday at school is invaluable. It does not take any of the responsibility off of me as the parent to make sure that hearing about God is a part of their everyday lives, but it enhances what we are already doing. I pray that in 8 and 9 years from now, when my daughters will in high school, that they will be able to attend CVLHS…please pray for this school and support it in any way that you can!!!!
Your pastor is one wise man. And you are correct on every point you wrote.
Thank you for your post and support Audrey! The auction went really well. The amount of money raised was about the same as other years, even though the crowd and item donations were fewer. It was obvious the crowd that did come was supportive of Christian education!
’05 CVLHS Alumni
You are welcome, Holly. So glad the auction went well. I would have been there if not for setting up for my daughter’s wedding.
I’m not sure if this site gets checked often, but I acquired a garage door painted by the late Rhody Yule. He painted the mural for goddess friend on Fox Lake, Faribault. It’s now proudly displayed from the lake side, a few house down from the access. I can send photos. Kristy
Kristy, is this the original painted garage door from Rhody’s garage in the country? If so, I’ve seen it. I’m glad it was saved with all the artwork thereon. That garage door is how I “found” Rhody and then developed a friendship with him. Such a kind man. Faith-filled and talented.