The idea of a quilt auction caught on and by 1985 grew to 65 quilts. The most quilts the auction ever sold in one year was around 240, and moved to the Adriel campus in 1989. Over the past decade, the auction continued to grow, due to the overwhelming support of the many churches, sewing groups and dedicated individuals who gave of their time and and resources. These are just a few of their stories.

Piecing Quilt Tops Jeanette Hostetler's Niche

The book America's Glorius Quilts, lays in a prominent spot on Jeanette Hostetler's coffee table in West Liberty. However she needs little inspiration when piecing quilt tops. She began this unique art in April of 1999 after the sudden death of her son the previous year. She found it gave her something to do to keep her mind off the tragedy. Once she completes a top, she donates it to Adriel or Belleville Mennonite High School in Pennsylvania to be quilted for auction.

Edith Yoder, who has since passed away, was her mentor. "Edith was so good to me to help me get started," remembers Jeanette. "I'd have a problem and take it right over to her and she would step me through it." She also remembers Edith as having a good eye for colors and borders; a skill Jeanette has picked up herself over the years.

This year, she has donated a split nine patch, which makes more than 10 quilt tops donated to the Adriel auction. Jeanette said she'd work on piecing quilts all the time if she could, as she loves it that much.

Quilt Buying A Long History For Local Woman

In 1984, Paula Wammes and her mother, Ruth, happened upon the Adriel quilt auction at the West Liberty
Labor Day Festival. Only three quilts were auctioned that year and Ruth bought Paula the first quilt auctioned,
which was called Turkey Tracks

Since then, Paula has only missed two auctions. She likes to hang quilts instead of pictures, as she considers them works of art and appreciates the "homemade" aspect of them. "I can only imagine what those ladies talk about while they are sitting around quilting those quilts," said Paula

She added that she enjoys attending the auction, as "the Adriel auctioneers always make it a fun sale and day for the crowd."

Auctioneers Are Key Volunteers

Back in the early 1950's, auctioneer Bob Frey learned first hand about the ministry of Adriel and the Mennonite Orphan's Home from his father, Elias. One of the orphans spent part of the summer at their home in Archbold, Ohio.

"After that, Dad said I ought to get involved," laughed Bob. "So I did. My dad always had a big influence on us."

Later in the 1960's his family sponsored some of the rooms in the construction of the Westview building at Adriel. Since then Bob, president and chief auctioneer of Frey and Sons, has served on the Adriel Foundation board and volunteered his time auctioneering at the quilt auction.

"It's something I can do to contribute besides just money. I can give of my expertise and talent and I enjoy doing that," said Bob.

Adriel is just one of many benefit auctions that Bob and his sons, Mark and Kevin, participate in. Other Northwest Ohio auctions, as well as ones in Arizona, Indiana, and Illinois all rely on and benefit from the expert auctioneering skills of Frey and Sons.

Sisters Help Kids By Quilting

Sisters Marge and Alta Grieser, of Archbold, Ohio, spend many afternoons quilting in the basement of their home. They have a long association with Adriel and have been donating quilts to the auction for the past 20 years.

"Our history with Adriel started long before the quilt auction," says Alta. "We used to do canning with our mother for the orphans."

While the sisters haven't kept track of how many quilts that have donated, they do know that most of the quilts have been of the "log cabin" design. They purchase quilt tops from various quilt shops they visit, trying to find unique ones that are most appealing to buyers. "We try to watch colors, fabric, workmanship and the sizes," says Marge.

When asked why they support Adriel with so many quilts, Marge jokingly remarked that their quilts are "only good enough to give away." Quilt buyers would certainly disagree and have historically demonstrated their appreciation for the sister's excellent workmanship by paying high prices for their quilts.

The sisters agree that quilting is a comfortable way of supporting Adriel, since they are not able to directly help take care the kids. "We know those kids need our help and this is how we can help them," says Alta "Quilting is a good way of using our time for giving."

Recycling Woodworker Provides His Own Kind of Patchwork

While Herman Liechty doesn't quilt, he does have his own way of piecing things together. The Archbold, Ohio native uses scrap wood from a company he founded in 1965, to make a variety of wooden projects for both his family and various benefit auctions.

His former company, Liechty Specialties, is currently owned by his son and former Adriel board member, Allen Liechty. However, his son is just one connection Herman has to Adriel. A college friend worked at Adriel for a number of years and later, a local friend was an active supporter. Herman recalls donating items to the annual auction for about the last 20 years or so.

Most of Herman's materials are pieces from his son's shop that are off-falls. "I need to use it for something," explains Herman. "I guess it's my generation, but I can hardly throw anything away."

While his materials may be considered scraps, the final product is anything but. Step stools, shoe shelves, toy airplanes, file cabinets and mirrors are just some of the items Herman creates.

"I like to call it my golfing" laughs Herman. "Woodworking is recreation to me. And of course others benefit from it and that's been my life. I enjoy it tremendously."

Woodworking Brothers Provide Variety of Projects

Maurice and Paul Nafziger grew up in rural Archbold, Ohio. Paul, now from Hudson, Michigan, remembers that their parents were very involved in local charities, thus the idea of helping others out was something the brothers picked up on at an early age.

Older brother Maurice, first learned about Adriel when his uncle Jesse Short, a local pastor, adopted two boys from the Mennonite Children's Home, the predecessor of Adriel. Later, in 1945 as a 17 year-old, he and a friend drove a truck full of donated produce to West Liberty. He remembers that day well and recalled, "When we were ready to leave, the children wanted to go along with us or else wanted us to stay."

Paul also remembers visiting with his Sunday school teacher, Ceaphus Schrock, who was heavily involved with the ministry. "I remember playing with some of the children and having difficulty understanding why these kids didn't have a home."

Both brothers, who are retired now, donate various woodworking items to Adriel and other local benefit auctions. Maurice specializes in clocks and intricate bird houses, while Paul has focused on carving. "I do it for the fun of it and I'm helping people out," Maurice says.

Paul, who is also one of the announcers for the Adriel auction, agrees and adds, "I enjoy the fun and challenge of getting something done and being able to chip in."