FAIRBURY, Neb. -- More than $1,100 was raised during the annual salad festival of the Jefferson Community Health and Life Auxiliary.

A total of 155 people were served at the festival on May 9 in Fairbury, according to Lana Likens, Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Development at JCH&L. 

The first festival was held in 1965 and is the biggest fundraiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary each year. 

“It takes a tremendous amount of community support to have a fund-raiser continue for nearly 60 years. We thank all of those who helped to make this event successful once again,” Likens said. “It is a fun community spring event that also helps to fund good work by the auxiliary.”

The salad festival itself takes much volunteer time and effort, Likens said. More than 35 individuals volunteer their time to help during the day and more than 80 items of food are donated. 

Tables were decorated with plants from the Fairbury FFA greenhouse, and more than $100 was raised for the Fairbury FFA with the sales of the plants. 

This year, seed money from a Thrivent Financial action team also helped to cover some of the expenses of the event. 

The auxiliary provides scholarships to students entering the medical fields and provides Christmas gifts for nursing home residents at JCH&L Gardenside, in addition to providing volunteer support for JCH&L in a variety of ways.