Our first Pie Auction was held in 2011 as a way to not only raise funds for the work of RBR, but also to share the opportunity and "sense of ownership" with some of our key Teenagers that not only attend camp but a number of them become staff members as well. Even today, the majority of the pies are from these kids and their families.
The projects that have benefited in past are chosen with the idea in mind that the kids will relate to them as being an important part of the program at RBR especially in the summer camp program. We have purchased a pontoon, boat, and kayaks with money raised. After Storm Atlas, we used monies raised to help in the restoration projects for the Ranch. We had so many trees damaged in that storm, thus we were able to purchase trees to not only restore but to enhance the setting as well.
Our legacy kids will help conduct the auction this year again. We keep a number of them connected throughout the year as we meet weekly for Legacy III Bible Study and fellowship at Main Street Square in Rapid City. We also have several other activities to encourage these great kids from other communities as well throughout the winter months.
This year's Auction will feature nearly 60 wonderfully delicious homemade pies on November 17 at 6:30 PM at the ranch. Our goal is to raise funds for some "not quite finished" projects including a finished tack room for all the equipment we use, another cabin at Misty's Meadow and assisting in completing the Country Chapel where we will hold Sunday Evening services during the summer months. This is a special project as we are moving the Old Fairpoint Church to the ranch.
With the drought that has hindered the Ranch as well as a good portion of the region, it is necessary that many pitch together by contributing to outreach of Rainbow. We had another record-breaking year in attendance with 483 campers from 12 different states. It is our continued desire to keep the camp fees as minimal as possible so that many families can enjoy what the ranch offers. Thus our camp fees are about half the actual costs.
The Pie Auction is our only "public fundraiser" and proves to be a fun time of fellowship as people from all over bid to own a pie... but really it is more than that. We like to say that we are assisting the Kids of Summer and doing it For the Kingdom… God's Kingdom that is.
We invite interested people to attend in person or as some do... bid by phone... or they can request someone to bid for them. We will do our best to get pies to those who cannot attend that live in the area. We have some that have already placed a request; One lady is even sending a contribution, if a certain baker will share her recipe for a very popular pie. One downtown businessman has said, "I can't bake for anything, but I sure want to help in making this event a success. We even have some East River orders as some of us are heading that direction over the weekend to do some speaking engagements. It is going to be a great night.