By Cindy GladdenRecord Staff WriterThe Friends of Emmaus organization held its third annual Spring Festival Sunday, May 18. The organization is committed to raising funds to support the residents and staff at the Marthasville campus. The theme for this year was “Ole Time Country Family Picnic.”The Emmaus Home was founded in 1893 at the Marthasville location by pastors and lay people of the Evangelical Synod. Now affiliated and supported by the United Church of Christ, its mission is to serve adults with developmental disabilities.For many years the popular Fall Bazaar was one of the primary fund-raisers for the organization. Its quilt auction was the highlight and major draw. For the past three years, the spring festival has replaced the fall bazaar and the Tannenbaum event held each November continues to raise funds for Emmaus Homes.“The weather was ideal and the crowds were larger than the two previous years,” said Mary Fischer, just one of the dedicated members of Friends of Emmaus. “We had a lot more activities for children and great entertainment.”In addition to a three-piece band called the Road Kings, string students from Suziki Metro of the St. Charles Community College, entertained the crowd.Residents of Emmaus provided handmade crafts. Flea market items, plants, fresh-squeezed lemonade and homemade ice cream were sold during the event. Roasted chicken, baked beans, German potato salad and homemade pie were also available.Fifty-five quilts of all sizes and colors were available to bidders during the annual auction. Brehe Auctioneering returned to help get the best price for the beautiful quilts. Following in their parents footsteps, the Brehe family is committed to helping Emmaus by encouraging bidders to “dig a little deeper” for the cause.Fischer said funds raised by Friends of Emmaus have helped fund a number of programs, including the Exceptional Equestrian therapy program, pottery equipment, staff appreciation and the Special Olympics.“The Tannenbaum event raised $42,000, which we used to completely remodel Faith House,” said Fischer. “We redid everything — flooring, cabinetry, electrical, everything! It was an all-volunteer project with about 50 people involved.”This year the quilt auction alone raised more than $13,000. The finale bid on a Lone Star quilt provided by the Bocktings, of Warrenton, was $1,250.Upcoming events planned include the second annual Baconfest to be held June 14 at the swine pavilion at the Washington Fairgrounds and a trivia night to be held June 27 at Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles.For more information about Emmaus Homes, visit emmaushomes.org.

BIDDING OPENS- More than $13,000 was raised Sunday, May 18, during the annual Emmaus Spring Festival Quilt Auction. The event was sponsored by the Friends of Emmaus to raise funds for several programs at Emmaus Homes in Marthasville.