Old Mission Santa Inés was founded in 1804 and is the 17th of the original 21 California Missions. Our mission is a state and federal historical landmark and we do not receive any federal or state assistance to maintain and restore the buildings and grounds. So, each year, we hold fundraising events to help maintain the beauty of the mission buildings and grounds and keep them safe for future generations to enjoy. This year, our main expense was the upgrade of the fire alarm system for all of the buildings. 2016 Restoration Fundraiser events included the Restoration Raffle, Silent Auction and Mission Garden Picnic. Co-chairs for this year's fundraiser events were Tony Yanez and Berna Aquirre.
Enjoy these highlights of the Restoration Raffle and Mission Garden Picnic:
The Restoration Raffle began in July with the distribution of raffle tickets to parishioners and ticket sales after all weekend masses. The fundraiser concluded with a Mission Garden Picnic for all parishioners and guests on September 25, 2016. The Silent Auction organized by JoAnn Taylor and Annette Sutton was held at the picnic and had 3 tables of items available to the highest bidder. Meals available for purchase at the picnic included enchilidas, soft tacos, crispy tacos, BBQ chicken and TriTip sandwiches. All meals were cooked by mission ministries including Grupo de Matrimonios y Parejas, Grupo de Oracion, Comité Organizaroor de Fiestas, Pláticas Prebautismales and Ministerio de Bodas Comunitarias. The Youth Ministry made and sold snow cones of various flavors while the Pastor Juvenil sold water and sodas. The Hispanic Young Adults ministry organized and led games for the children and sold Hot Dogs. Divine Mercy and Adoration ministries sold desserts. The Men's Club sold beer and wine. The Easter Egg Hunt ministry sold margaritas. Ministries who had hospitality tables to provide more information about their ministry included Eagles Wings - adult faith group, RCIA - adult faith formation, St. Vindent de Paul, Hospitality and Caring, Amigos Capuchinos, Armada Blanca - Hispanic children's prayer group and Divina Misericordia. Each ministry decorated their booth or table with decorations representative of the mission days.
A special thanks to the following OMSI staff for their contributions to this year's restoration fundraiser events:
Silvia Ramos and Ariana Macias for their help with the mailing of the raffle tickets and coordination of the Silent Auction items distribution.
Gift Shop staff for raffle ticket sales.
Paula Engel for managing and keepting track of the financial details.
Victor Bermudez and Umberto Figueroa for the picnic grounds set-up.
We thank many of our parishioners and ministries who volunteered their time and talents to make this the most successful restoration fundraiser in recent years. Success is measured in many ways - one of those is in the fellowship enjoyed throughout the fundraiser campaign as people worked together for the common goal. We are one body of Christ working together for His good works. We were blessed many times over with the fellowship we all enjoyed before, during and after this effort. Our last measure of success is reaching a fundraising goal together as one in Christ. We are glad to report that we met our financial goal!
We especially thank those local businesses who sponsored raffle tickets, made monetary donations or donated prizes to our Silent Auction.
Ticket sponsors:
Donation plus offered a 10% discount through October 31st to raffle ticket holders:
BIRKHOLM'S BAKERY
COASTAL COPY
EL RANCHO MARKET
HANSON'S CLOCK SHOP JEWELERS
OLD MISSION GIFTS
PAULA'S PANCAKE HOUSE
SOLVANG TOYLAND
TODD PIPE
VALLEY HARDWARE
VALLEY TOOLS
VIKING GARDEN
VIKING PRESS
Raffle Prizes and Donations:
Alisal Golf Course - Early Bird Prize donation
JD Fabrications - custom Santa Maria Style BBQ - 3rd Prize in Restoration Raffle
Bella Cavalli Winery
J. Woeste in Los Olivos
Silent Auction Donations:
Fresco Café
Hitching Post
Jim Vreeland Ford
New Frontiers
Performance Fitness
Picket Fences
Starbucks
Tractor Supply
Valley Nails & Spa
Thank you Fr. Matt Elshoff for your ongoing encouragement, prayers and support!
Branches of His Love - John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.