CHERRY CREEK – On Saturday the 13th annual Amish Relief Auction will be held at 6732 Pickup Hill Road, heading west out of Cherry Creek.

The local Amish community holds this auction annually to benefit needy families among them. Usually this translates to those burdened by overwhelming doctor, hospital and other medical bills. In this particular group (calling themselves the Conewango Valley. Community) dozens of families work together to raise money, all of which is dedicated to paying off the medical debts of families unable to do so on their own.

As befits an auction, there will be an assortment of authentic handmade Amish crafts, toys, furniture, quilts, games and foods. Also up for bid will be a variety of farm machinery and animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats – maybe even puppies. You only have to choose your personal favorite and join the spirited bidding – which will go on all day, rain or shine, thanks to a huge tent and a tag team of tireless auctioneers.

There’ll be no need to pack a picnic lunch or tote a thermos. This is, after all, an Amish event, and participants can eat all day long. Starting with the pancake and sausage breakfast, served from 6:30-9:30 a.m., attendants can proceed through a seemingly endless array of lunch and dinner choices scattered around the grounds. There will be a chicken barbecue, a pig roast, veal burgers, fish sandwiches, subs, salad. Just be sure to leave room for that homemade ice cream fresh out of the churn, glazed donuts, and maybe a tart cherry pie or some apple crisp.

Those who would like to donate good, clean, salable items to be auctioned may drop them off at any of these homes: John M. Stutzman on Keith Road, John Hostetler on West Road, Raymond Hostetler on West Road, Crist H. Shetler on Pickup Hill Road, David Troyers on Seager Hill Road, Andy E.E. Miller on Glover Hill Road, Enos E.E.Miller on Town Hill Road, Harvey M. Shetler on Flat Iron Road, Isaac Shetler on Mosher Hollow Road and Amos J. Yoder on Route 62.

Monetary donations are welcome, and should be made out to the Amish Relief Fund and mailed or dropped off at the Bank of Cattaraugus, a long-time friend of the local Amish community. Anyone seeking more detailed information about the Amish Relief Auction may contact Lonnie Kent, Auctioneer and Manager (450-0558), Patrick Cullen, President, Bank of Cattaraugus (357-3431) or any of the Amish gentlemen listed above.

To get to the auction, follow Route 83, into Cherry Creek and take Southside Avenue to Pickup Hill Rd. Watch for the arrow signs leading to the auction grounds. The organizers say they have handicapped parking available, and there will also be a shuttle bus going into action at 7:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, mark it on the calendar. This one’s a real “two-fer” – one of those rare occasions when you can have yourself a day’s worth of fun and still end up feeling good that you helped someone else over a seemingly insurmountable hurdle.