Site Boss Brad Meyer shares a special gift with family members by placing a cross near the entry. Photo by UNCHLA Pastor David Elton
UNITED CHURCH News:
The United Church of Los Alamos and the Universalist Unitarian Church hope the community will attend a life changing auction at 2 p.m. today.
The silent auction begins at 2 p.m., followed by a live auction at 3 p.m., featuring 60 items from the gently used to handmade just for the occasion. Those items along with gift certificates for memory making to muscle intensive activities for all ages ranging from yard work to babysitting and more.
“The campers have gone out in teams to ask local businesses to contribute items to the auction,” trip coordinator Laura Erickson said. “There are many tasks to be done to set up, organize, sell, and cleanup at the auction, and the campers have signed up for these various tasks.”
Youth team member Michael Keeler will take trip number four as he rounds out his senior year at Los Alamos High School.
“The most meaningful memory of all the trips has been handing the keys to the family,” Keeler said. The ceremonial event after a very hands on labor intensive week results in a foundation that will transform life for several families forever.
The real work is about to begin after a frame is built and the mixing of concrete by hand begins. Photo by UNCHLA Pastor David Elton
The youth and adult team members have been working up to this trip for months, identifying local businesses that will sponsor donations, creating gift certificates comprised mostly of their volunteer time, setting up, cleaning up, picking up and in some cases delivering after the day is over and that all happens before the real work of the trip begins.
“The hardest part of the week is concrete day, mostly because we will be pouring large tubs of concrete in the hot sun,” Keeler said. “The part I enjoy the most about Mexico Mission is the sense of satisfaction of building a home.”
“There are several best things about the trip,” said Laura Erickson, who along with husband Randy are indispensable members of the team. “Giving the families that we work alongside improved living conditions, working together and becoming a community, focusing on something outside ourselves and our worries, and learning that when we work together, we can make a huge impact!”
The United Church of Los Alamos is at 2525 Canyon Road and visitors can check out their new renovations while they attend the auction.
Auction Items
Furniture:
- girl’s bedroom set
- couches
- dressers
- desks
- tables
- desk chairs
- lamps
- loungers
- chairs
- mirrors
- antique bedframes
- patio table with umbrella
- air conditioning unit
- rolling cooler
- exercise pen for dogs
Sporting Equipment:
- skiis & ski boots
- flippers
- snorkle
- skateboards
- golf bag, new
- snow shoes, new
- ultra running vest, new
- basketball hoop that sets up in a driveway
Exercise Equipment:
- nordic trac
- basketball hoop to sit upright in driveway bow flex machine mountain bike treadmills
Musical:
- kid’s keyboard
- full size Roland keyboard with carrying case classical guitar
Appliances:
- small freezer
- kitchen small appliances
- pasta maker
- coffee machine
- vacuum cleaners
- shop vac
Household:
- blankets & bedding
- quilts
- stemware
- mugs
- dishes
- flatware
- luggage
- wicker baskets
- antique sewing machines
- antique typewriter
Outdoor things:
- propane gas grill
- chainsaw
- weed wacker
- edger
- binoculars
Art:
- Pictures
- Artwork, including some photographic prints on canvass from Betty Nance Smith
Jewelry:
- necklaces
- broaches
- earrings
- pins
kid stuff:
- toys
- games
- puzzles
- game table
- Disney memorabilia
- books