RJC Annual Fundraising Banquet

RJC held its annual fundraising Banquet on Saturday, November 7. The theme for the event was "God is Good - Stories of Faithfulness, Hope and Joy after Hurricane Katrina". The evening was centered around the experiences of RJC students who had travelled to Pass Christian Mississippi in the last two years to assist in the Mennonite Disaster Service efforts there. The speaker for the banquet was to be Billy Morgan, a resident of Pass Christian who received a home from MDS. Unfortunately, Billy was unable to travel at the last minute due to medical concerns. Instead, students, staff members and others who travelled with RJC to work with MDS shared their insights and stories.

The event included a banquet, silent auction, singing and story telling. Thanks to all who attended, donated and participated!

Current students Lori Pauls, Heidi Epp, Danika Epp and Allison Goerzen entertain the audience with their singing. Lori, Danika and Allison have all been MDS volunteers in Mississippi.

RJC teacher Karalee Kuny shares her observations about service education. She travelled with the RJC group to Mississippi in spring 2009.

Cara Warkentin (grad 2009) was a part of the first trip RJC took to volunteer with MDS in 2008. Cara shared how this experience connected her to her church, North Star Mennonite in Drake Sk., and the wider church as she volunteered with people from across Canada and the USA as well as the church in Pass Christian.

Approximately 180 people enjoyed the great food, entertainment and storytelling at the fundraising banquet.

We are grateful to those who generously donated items for the silent auction and to those who bid high and bid often! Where else could you have purchased a Calgary Flames autographed jersey and a Turducken?

Many thanks to Marilyn Friesen, Colette Penner, Naiomi Penner and Doreen Fehr for their hard work and culinary skill. The banquet was delicious!!

Danika Epp and Erik Epp, current RJC students, share their experiences volunteering with their grandparents Ewald and Louise Epp. Each RJC trip has included some family members, giving some students the chance to work together with their parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Aleta Martens (grad 2009) was a member of the 2009 RJC MDS trip. Aleta shared stories of how her experience was both a way for her to express her faith and grow her faith.

Current RJC student Jon Willie has been lucky enough to travel to Pass Christian twice to work on MDS projects. Jon worked on Billy Morgan's house and, despite the fact that Billy was unable to attend, was pleased to have the chance to introduce his friend to the RJC community.

RJC Vice-Principal Jim Epp has lead the trips to Pass Christian. In Billy Morgan's absence he shared stories about Billy's experiences and the lessons he has learned and passed on about God's faithfulness, goodness and love. Like so many others, Morgan lost all he owned in the Katrina disaster but remained faithful to God and came to see the response by the community, volunteers and others as proof that "God is good!"

Heidi Dick, Krista Dueck, Aleta Martens, Angela Nickel, Jennifer Regier and Cara Warkentin entertained the audience with their singing. The group are all members of the RJC 2009 graduating class. All but one were volunteers in Pass Christian.

Thanks to Roxy Becker, RJC board member, for her creative and hard work on the event. The theme of service through MDS was clearly evident in the creative use of scaffolding, building tools and equipment.