Many Romanian families live in homes with dirt floors and have no running water or electricity. They are often forced to choose between buying wood to heat their homes to keep from freezing to death or buying food to keep from starving to death.
Ani Walworth, of Silverdale, lived in Romania for years and knows the poor living conditions firsthand.
Ani, along with her husband, Rupert, founded Gaiseni Compassionate Ministries (GCM) and the pair works to provide money for food, clothing, beds, medicines and other necessities to the Romanian people of Gaiseni.
“Ani is from the little village that we’re putting our support into,” Rupert said.
GCM is hosting a live and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at Silverdale United Methodist Church on Silverdale Way. Last year’s auction brought in about $6,000 for GCM and the husband and wife team used the money to buy supplies and ship containers of living essentials to Romania.
“Technically it (the money) just goes in the ministry’s budget but why we have the budget is to ship stuff to Romania,” Rupert said.
Ani and her family helped build a community center in Romania and money raised by GCM will be used to improve the facility and programs offered there. GCM also plans to build houses, restrooms and other community resources in the future.
One item up for bid at Saturday’s auction is a timeshare condo in Mazatlan, Mexico. The person who wins this item will receive a five-day, four-night stay and bidding starts at $250. Silverdale Beach Hotel donated a weekend stay in a water view room which includes breakfast. The hotel also donated a gift certificate for two to enjoy a couple of meals at the facility. Papa John’s Pizza is offering up to a year supply of pizza as an auction item and numerous gift baskets and Romanian crystal are up for bid as well.
“We’re planning to have at least 200 items,” Ani said. “Our goal is to have at least 200.”
Guests at Saturday’s auction will enjoy drinks and desserts as well as a sandwich bar. Fairview Junior High School’s jazz band will perform and Ani said GCM is planning to have about 200 in attendance at Saturday’s auction.
“Please come, have fun and come find your favorite basket or restaurant and enjoy good foods and good entertainment,” Ani said.
GCM is always looking for donations and those interested in giving items, money or volunteering their time to help the Romanian children and their families. For more information, call GCM at (360) 308-2412 or e-mail rupertandani@gcmforsouls.org.
Gaiseni Compassionate Ministries live and silent auction
Benefits Romanian children and their families
Saturday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Silverdale United Methodist Church
Two tickets for $15 in advance
$10 each at the door
Ages 12 and younger $5
(360) 308-2412
rupertandani@gcmforsouls.org
