Suzanne Regier purchased the Oldsmobile Coupe new in 1948 after the death of her husband.



Relatives think she drove the car only once, to get her first driver�s license. After that, she would walk to the courthouse to renew the license.



It was her grandchildren who put the 47,000 miles on the car, and it�s said it reached 80 mph on the open road.



Those are the kinds of stories Jerry Toews brings to the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale this weekend. Toews has the scoop on every car, truck, motorcycle and tractor people have donated for the general auction.



It�s his job to make the bodies shine and the engines purr like kittens when the general auction begins during the two-day event at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.



This year, Toews has been refurbishing 11 items, including an old buggy and the �48 Olds.



For tractor lovers, there�s a 1948 8N Ford tractor that has been professionally restored.



There�s also a heavy-duty farm truck, plus a 1974 Honda CB200T motorcycle that Toews describes as a �survivor.�



A 2005 Ford Freestar minivan, which Toews said is in pristine condition with 129,000 miles, also is up for auction.



This is the 48th year for the relief sale. Last year, proceeds donated $580,000 to the Mennonite Central Committee, a world relief organization.



Toews is one of more than 1,000 volunteers who do everything from create quilts to prepare the hearty German buffet in Cottonwood Court. This meal generally serves between 6,000 and 10,000 people and features such delicacies as verenika, bohne beroggi, borscht soup, cherry and plum moos and zwiebach bread. If there still is room, there are tables spread with homemade pies.



In addition, the smell of barbecued chicken wafts through the fairgrounds, and food is sold in almost every building. On an average, volunteers make about 35,000 New Year�s cookies to sell.



Plus, there will be 1,000 plants for gardeners to purchase, and more than 240 handmade quilts will be on the auction block.



Saturday begins with a 5K run at 7 a.m. in Rice Park.



There are several activities just for children involving inflatables and mini golf. Those accompanied by an adult can sign up for a bidding number at 9 a.m. in the Pride of Kansas Building, where, starting at 10 a.m., children can bid on items such as games, dolls and more. The auction�s purpose is to teach the young that, no matter their size, all can play a role in helping those in need.



Becky Blough, one of the many volunteers, said sale totals have increased over the past five years, with more than $400,000 donated to MCC, on average.



�Our goal is to raise all we can for MCC to help fund programs in the area of relief, development and peace,� Blough said. �The sale total is dependent on the generosity of those who attend the relief sale.�