Lake Houston Sentinel - News
Highlands fish fry success despite rain
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| Members of the Highlands United Methodist Church served up more than 400 pounds of fish at Saturday's fish fry, bake sale and live auction, raising almost $10,000 for the church's various missionary programs. |
By JOSH HARDWICK
Members of the Highlands United Methodist Church (HUMC) gave thanks to the community Monday for their support of the church’s 17th annual fish fry and live auction fundraiser. Hosted Aug. 16, the event is expected to bring in nearly $10,000 despite Saturday’s rainy weather.
The fish fry is HUMC’s largest fund-raiser for the year. Proceeds help fund the church’s various missionary and outreach activities, Pastor Sharon Sabom said.
Having served more than 600 plates of fish, fries, dirty rice and cole slaw in just two-and-a-half hours last year, Sabom said that her church sought to do everything it could to improve upon those numbers this year and reach its goal of raising $10,000.
“The entire operation was much more streamlined this year, thanks to our local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts,” she said. “They were running around with umbrellas, walking people to and from their cars and delivering to-go trays so that those in attendance could spend less time waiting in line and more time at the auction and our bake shop.”
More than 400 pounds of fish were prepared for Saturday’s event, along with several large vats of French fries, dirty rice, cole slaw and even homemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
“We’ve had people here since 5:30 in the morning cooking and getting everything ready. It’s all homemade by the parishioners,” Sabom said.
Supplementing sales of $9 plates of fish were the organizers of the yearly, Sweet Shop. Betty Birdwell said that church members spend the week baking all manner of cookies, cakes and pastries to sell at the fish fry, often bringing in as much as $1,000.
“Last year we raised $1145 and that was one of our weaker years. It’s very successful because the members spend a lot of time and effort making several different things,” she said. “I baked for more than two days for this event.”
This year Sabom was proud to announce that the Sweet Shop set a new record, raising $1,400. The church also auctioned off $4,600 in items donated by businesses and church members including a barbecue pit, a Playstation 2, a diamond heart necklace and tickets to an Astros’ game.
“It’s been a phenomenal day. We’ve had a good turnout and we appreciate the community coming out and supporting us,” she said.
For more information about the Highlands United Methodist Church call 281-426-3614.
The fish fry is HUMC’s largest fund-raiser for the year. Proceeds help fund the church’s various missionary and outreach activities, Pastor Sharon Sabom said.
Having served more than 600 plates of fish, fries, dirty rice and cole slaw in just two-and-a-half hours last year, Sabom said that her church sought to do everything it could to improve upon those numbers this year and reach its goal of raising $10,000.
“The entire operation was much more streamlined this year, thanks to our local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts,” she said. “They were running around with umbrellas, walking people to and from their cars and delivering to-go trays so that those in attendance could spend less time waiting in line and more time at the auction and our bake shop.”
More than 400 pounds of fish were prepared for Saturday’s event, along with several large vats of French fries, dirty rice, cole slaw and even homemade tartar and cocktail sauces.
“We’ve had people here since 5:30 in the morning cooking and getting everything ready. It’s all homemade by the parishioners,” Sabom said.
Supplementing sales of $9 plates of fish were the organizers of the yearly, Sweet Shop. Betty Birdwell said that church members spend the week baking all manner of cookies, cakes and pastries to sell at the fish fry, often bringing in as much as $1,000.
“Last year we raised $1145 and that was one of our weaker years. It’s very successful because the members spend a lot of time and effort making several different things,” she said. “I baked for more than two days for this event.”
This year Sabom was proud to announce that the Sweet Shop set a new record, raising $1,400. The church also auctioned off $4,600 in items donated by businesses and church members including a barbecue pit, a Playstation 2, a diamond heart necklace and tickets to an Astros’ game.
“It’s been a phenomenal day. We’ve had a good turnout and we appreciate the community coming out and supporting us,” she said.
For more information about the Highlands United Methodist Church call 281-426-3614.
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