Mervin Beiler, who has been attending the Sunny Sunbeam Center, located south of Route 30, for about 10 years, loves to greet visitors with the words, "Welcome to Sunny Sunbeam Center." Beiler is the unofficial assistant to teacher Esther King, and he hurried to help answer questions for this article on the upcoming fundraiser that helps support Sunny Sunbeam and seven other area centers for members of the Plain community with special needs.

The 18th annual Special Needs Benefit Auction will be held on Monday, July 1, at Fisher's Quality Dairy Sales, 3304 B Old Philadelphia Pike, Ronks. The auction will begin at 10 a.m., but a variety of foods will be offered for sale beginning at 5:30 a.m.

Sunny Sunbeam and the other centers - Special Hearts Circle, Sunbeam, Caring Hearts, New Horizons, Upper Valley Workshop, Shady Hollow, and Sunnyside Specials - together give the more than 100 adults who attend a chance to socialize and do productive work. Beiler noted that two of the 28 Sunny Sunbeam attendees come from Maryland.

Sunny Sunbeam attendees visit the center on Mondays and Wednesdays over the summer, and three days a week during the other seasons. Some days lunch is prepared at the center, and other days participants bring their own lunches. According to King, participants arrive at 9 a.m., and the day begins with devotions, which includes reading a chapter from the Bible, praying, and singing.

Beiler noted that lessons are part of each morning session, featuring arithmetic, reading, spelling, and English, before lunch at 11:30 a.m. After lunch, there is a story time, followed by projects to be worked on. King said a group will focus on packaging poly clothespins, and other projects include making keychains with beads and, in the summer, mowing the yard.

Highlights of this year's auction will include carriages, swing sets, and sheds. A 26-by-28-foot garage, built on the highest bidder's site, will go up for auction. The building will have a concrete floor, two garage doors, and an attic with stairs. Other items will include grills, quilts, scooters, wagons, tools, and outdoor furniture.

Food that will be available for purchase at the auction includes breakfast items such as egg sandwiches, doughnuts, breakfast logs, and coffee. Among the lunch items will be cheesesteak sandwiches, barbecued chicken and ribs, sub sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, fried shrimp, salad, fruit cups, french fries, blooming onions, and soft pretzels. The list of beverages offered will include smoothies and iced coffee. Ice cream, fry pies, and baked goods will be on the dessert menu. Food may be eaten on-site or taken out. Drive-through service will be available from 5:30 a.m. through 6 p.m.

Beiler noted that on his first visit to Sunny Sunbeam in the fall, he was nervous, but by mid-December, he realized there was no reason to be scared, and now he enjoys the time he spends there.

Those who would like to donate items to the sale may call 717-687-5152, 717-354-2380, or 717-278-3683. On the day of the sale, individuals with questions may call 717-455-3987.