After a year's hiatus because of COVID, the 44th annual Brethren Disaster Relief Auction (BDRA), will be held at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25, beginning at 9 a.m.

The auction, in cooperation with the Atlantic Northeast and Southern districts of the Church of the Brethren, began in 1977 and has provided over $17 million in disaster relief to victims of natural disasters both in the U.S. and internationally. Funds raised by the auction not only pay for emergency supplies for disaster victims, but also support volunteer disaster relief trips throughout the year.

Funds and volunteers from the auction have helped immediate relief efforts and long-term cleanup and rebuilding from disasters from earthquakes in Haiti to a tornado in Campbelltown.

Separate auctions will include the general auction, the children's auction, the quilt auction, the theme basket auction, the silent auction, the heifer auction, the coin auction and two pole barn auctions. The event may have as many as five auctions taking place at once.

Children's activities this year will include the children's auction, specializing in new items for children to be bid on only by children. A children's store will offer gently used items, and a balloon artist will create balloon animals. Weather permitting, there will also be free barrel train rides and pony rides for a nominal donation.

There will be an area for vendors of crafts and art objects and a farmers market with fresh produce and baked goods, including homemade pies. Amish doughnuts and Amish soft pretzels, both homemade on-site, will be available.

Artisan Alley, located in the West Hall, will be a collection of juried artisans. It will feature specialty coffees, German pastries, artisan bread, handmade pottery and various artists.

To find out more about the auction, visit http://www.brethrenauction.org, call on the day of the auction at 717-723-6863 or pick up an auction booklet at many local retailers.