For the past 21 years, the Rye United Methodist Church Faith Circle has organized a fundraiser to help them pay for outreach work. The Mountain Aire Festival and Auction was held on July 23 at the Brush Canyon Ranch near Rye, and the well-attended evening of fun started with a dinner of BBQ beef or pulled pork, with coleslaw, baked beans, chips, fruit, homemade dessert, and a drink. For the youngsters, there was a hot dog stand.
Dinner was served from 4- 6:00 p.m. as a lead-in to a series of auctions. Organizers say they usually serve about 300 dinners and estimated the event raises about $7,000, annually.
Local residents donated a variety of items, from home décor, hand-painted porcelain, pottery, jewelry, handmade throws and quilts, to paintings and antiques for a silent auction. Bigger ticket items were sold in an open, live auction led by auctioneer Jake Brunick. As a result, over 60 silent auction items and almost 50 live auction items were sold this year.
Rye Home UMC is very involved in community events, and the Faith Circle provides for struggling persons and families throughout the year. Faith Circle members spend nearly all of the proceeds from the event each year trying to help out their community by reaching out to those in need, visiting the homebound, and paying for expenses for local athletes who can't afford to attend sports camps or purchase sports equipment. They donate clothing and shoes to the needy, and if a family needs help with its electric bill, they find a way to help. At Christmas, they serve as Santa's helpers by purchasing gifts of clothing for needy children.
Helping those in need has been the focus of Faith Circle in Rye since it was founded. Faith Circle's efforts aren't focused on any specific age group or church; and their aid comes in many forms.
Volunteers shared that the Faith Circle group benefits from a generous community. People come out of the woodwork to support the Mountain Aire Festival, and people are always there to help. We are extremely blessed to have people like this in our community