From Covered in Layers of Decades of Dust Left Abandoned and Forgotten

TO

Being Covered In Bright Colors and Beautiful Images Awaiting A Loving Home

This Chairs for Charity auction began like this; Father Jarek felt a deep need to assist the refugees seeking asylum during their brief stay in El Paso. Joining forces with El Paso's long-established Annunciation House, they were able to find the perfect location for such an enormous task. They found the unused building that once housed the Holy Family Sister of Perpetual Adoration Convent and school. During the clearing of the building, they uncovered 20 beautiful all-wood school chairs. They were about the sell the chairs at their garage sale to begin raising funds. I told Father Jarek, "you are not going to make very much selling the chairs at $10 each. Why don't you clean them up and ask local artists to paint them to help raise funds and awareness for the center?" His response "sounds like a great idea. Can you do that for me?" So here we are, several weeks later, all the chairs were beautifully painted and given a personality through each artist's giving heart.

We pray that you enjoy the chairs as much as we have and that they remind us to be loving, caring, and giving, because together, everything is possible. ~ YMGS Staff

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A 360 View Separated by 106 Years

Holy Family Church was the last built by Rev. Carlos Pinto, S.J., and dedicated by Bishop Schuler on Sept. 17, 1916. According to Centennial History: The Diocese of El Paso, written by Janine Young, CEO of the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, Holy Family "was founded in response to the influx of refugees into the Sunset Heights neighborhood during the Mexican Revolution." Young wrote that the parish contained the offices for the Revista Católica Press called Canisius House at one time. The parish's dedication to helping migrant brothers and sisters continues today.

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A Message from the Host

Hello. My name is Irma, and I am the fundraising event organizer. I am very excited to see which chair is your favorite. Don't ask me which is my favorite because every time a new chair came in, it was my new favorite.

When Father Jarek asked me if I could spearhead this project, I was afraid that with the holidays, I would be unable to find artists willing to fit us in between their holiday selling schedules. To my surprise, all the artists we asked said yes and shared their process online, encouraging other artists to participate. The only thing was timing; all artists asked for time. So we continued pushing back the start of the auction to accommodate every artist's schedule.

It has been a heartwarming experience working with each artist whom we now call friends, and we want to build a long-lasting relationship by carrying their handmade products in our shop, Ysleta Mission Gift Shop.

What was more touching was reading their stories about each chair they created, what they named their chair and what inspired their designs, and why they chose to participate in this project.

Thank you to all the Ysleta Mission Gift Shop staff for always being willing to help and giving it your all.

Thank you to all the artists who jumped in and said yes.

Thank you to everyone for your patience, and desire to help fund this cause.

Well, what are you doing reading this? Go bid, and bid high so you can win the chair; 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Holy Spirit Refugee Center.

Humbled by your generosity~ Irma

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A Message From Friar Jarek

Thank you for your attending our Chairs for Charity Auction. The purpose is to raise funds for the Holy Family Refugee Center. The sale of these beautiful and generous local artworks will provide food, shelter, clothing, and support for refugees arriving in El Paso. The Holy Family Refugee Center is working with the Annunciation House, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation, to support refugees during their brief stay in El Paso.

Many Blessings,
Fr. Jarek Wysoczański OFM Conv.
On-Site Coordinator
Ministry of Immigrants
Province of Our Lady of Consolation

"The Desert Shall Rejoice" #5 Donation by Artist Rebecca Martinez