OSLC Harvest Festival survey

The Jim Billingsley Memorial Harvest Festival at OSLC is our annual fundraiser for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP).  MCEAP operates local food and clothing banks, helps with fuel and housing assistance, and offers other programs for people in emergency need.   We are sending out this survey to the congregation because we want to assess what we are currently doing, and look toward the future.  To do this, we need everyone’s input!

A brief history:

It all started with a potato garden in part of our empty back lot.  The potatoes that were harvested were donated to a local food bank.  Wishing to do more, the idea of holding a festival tied to the harvesting of the potatoes was conceived, and the first Potato Harvest Festival was held in September of 1995.  Since the early years of the Festival, the potato planting went by the wayside due to ever diminishing yields.  However, the Festival itself grew to include a large auction of goods and services, a huge yard sale, a bake sale and a sale of other food items from the kitchen.   In 2000, the Festival was renamed in honor of Jim Billingsley, one of the driving forces behind the original potato garden and Harvest Festival.  In the past couple of years, we have intentionally transitioned the Festival into being a “harvest” of our time and talents through donations of personal items and services in an auction, and a separate yard/bake/food sale.

As you can see, the Harvest Festival has changed a lot through the years.  These changes have come about through suggestions from those actively involved in the Festival.   This is the first formal survey of the entire congregation.   We want to know what you think.  What can we do better?  What needs changed?   Is there something new we should try?   Please help us as we plan the future direction of this important outreach ministry at OSLC. 

Your filled out surveys may be left in the basket in the Narthex, or placed in the stewardship mailbox in the church office.  The survey is also available as a Word document at the OSLC website:   http://civic.bev.net/oslc/.    If you fill out the survey electronically, please email it to the church office at: OSLCoffice@nrvunwired.net, or directly to me at: janjojerem@gmail.com

• Were you aware that we had an annual Harvest Festival at Our Saviour?
• Did you know that all of the money raised went to MCEAP? 
• Do you know how the money is used by MCEAP?
• Do you think the Harvest Festival is a worthwhile use of our time and resources at OSLC?
• Have you helped or participated in Festivals in past years?  If so, in what capacity and why?
• What do you think works well with the Harvest Festival?
• What do you think we need to improve with the Harvest Festival?
• Do you have any suggestions for changes or additions to Harvest Festival?   
• Would you be able to attend the auction at a different day or time?
• Are you involved in any hobbies or crafts and would you be interesting in dedicating something to the auction?
   
• Are you available to help other congregation members with your talents by donating a service to the auction?
• Do you have any friends or family that might be interested in attending the auction? 
• Youth:  What would you like to see added or changed about the Harvest Festival to be more involved?

          Your name (optional)