The first summer horse auction for the Wisconsin Community Hospital Fund Enhancement (WCHFE) went off without a hitch.
On Saturday, June 29, the auction raised over $315,000. Once fees and disbursements are figured out, a small portion of that $315k figure will go into the Amish Hospital Fund to cover medical bills for local families, but every little bit counts, and it certainly adds up over time.
The WCHFE group has raised over $165,000 since 2015 over the course of 19 auctions, and has benefitted Amish families in Cashton, Wilton, Chaseburg, Readstown, Boscobel, and more.
Over 130 horses were put up for sale, and 434 bidders registered for the first summertime auction in WCHFE history on Saturday, June 29 in Westby. The auction was held in a barn on the grounds of the former Tri-State Breeders Co-op. Al and Sarah Bekkum, board members of the WCHFE, purchased the property to better host the charity auctions.
“This day [Saturday], more of the English show up, but usually we get about 98 percent Amish”, said Susie Krueger, treasurer of the WCHFE. Krueger coordinates the consignments and production of the auction book.
The occasion brought horse sellers and buyers, both Amish and English, from near and far, including Mary Steiner of Muscoda, who brought her riding horse Flicka.
“My fiancé came up for the last auction with some of our local Amish, and they wanted to come up again,” said Steiner. “It’s fun. When there’s a couple people like a certain horse, it gets competitive.”
Another goodwill part of the day was lunch, which was served by a group of Amish women. Krueger said the group donates all proceeds to an Amish special needs school.
“This endeavor was conceived and developed with the intention of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Stephen Krueger, president of WCHFE, in a welcome letter for the horse auction book. “The neighborly thing to do is help where one can.”
WCHFE is registered as a non-profit limited liability company (LLC) and is overseen by the IRS. Members of the WCHFE include Stephen Krueger, president; Al Bekkum, vice president; Sarah Bekkum, secretary; Susie Krueger, treasurer; and Dan Fradette, member.
The next horse auction is scheduled for September 27, 2024.
If you’re interested in advertising in the book or consigning, contact Susie Krueger at (608) 343-1719.
