Sweet Home Emergency Ministries celebrated its 25th anniversary on Aug. 13 with food and fun in the parking lot of the Sweet Home Evangelical Church Saturday, Aug. 13.
SHEM officials operated a rummage sale Aug. 12-13 in the church parking lot as the first of what they hope will become an annual fund-raising event.
SHEM provides food boxes and other help to needy families who meet income requirements. The organization also operates a thrift store in Sweet Home.
The Aug. 13 celebration included contemporary bluegrass gospel music by local band Combine, which includes Theron and Betsy Yochelson and Tanner Sheahan.
Mayor Craig Fentiman spent nearly four hours as a dunk tank target. Carnival toys were set up for children, and SHEM sold hamburgers and hot dogs.
The Aug. 12 rummage sale raised more than $800 for SHEM. Director Rebecca McClaskey said she did not have a total for Aug. 13.
McClaskey thanked Sweet Home High School football team members for helping set up the rummage sale.
Visitors celebrated the 25th anniversary with a birthday cake and a presentation by former Pastor Larry Munk of the Sweet Home United Methodist Church, who founded the organization.