They came for the fried pies, the homemade doughnuts, the bedroom suites, the quilts and the vintage tractors.

Those attending the Haiti Benefit Auction on Saturday in Gordonville attended for a lot of reasons. But the desire to give back is something many had in common.

"This is a great cause," said Fred Spencer, of Honey Brook, who was at the auction with his wife, Tammy.

"There is lots of giving," Spencer said. "If this ever goes away, our world is in trouble."

This is the 12th year for the fundraiser held at Route 340 and New Holland Road.

"We are seeing a bigger crowd and more interest this year because of the earthquake," Ivan Martin said, referring to the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti in January.

Martin is on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Haiti Benefit Auction, which organizes the event.

"We get lots of exposure being right along [Route] 340 but people are noticing and responding more because of Haiti being in the news so much," Martin said.

More than 100 colorful, handmade quilts hanging from washlines were on the auction block as were furniture pieces of all shapes and sizes including full cherry bedroom suites and cedar chests.

An eclectic inventory of tools, plants, sleeping bags, wagons and hunting equipment was also sold. The fundraiser included a silent auction of gift certificates for massages and other services.

"Everything here is donated, and by the end of today it all will be gone," Martin said.

Martin added that only new items are accepted to be auctioned because of the biblical standard of giving your best.

"God instructed the children of Israel to always give their best. That's what we want here. We want your best," Martin said.

The best included many favorite local food items, including shoo-fly pies, soft-serve ice cream, and doughnuts made fresh on site.

New this year was the Zimmerman family selling a Haitian meal of rice, beans and fried plantains. They were missionaries in Haiti for a year.

"We learned to love this food," Leah Zimmerman said. "We thought that a lot of people who come today would love to try the food, too."

She was running the booth with her husband, Clair, and son Eric.

"The Lord led us to Haiti," Zimmerman said. "And the need is just so great."

Also enjoying the event and the food was Julie Pfeffer.

"The food here is fabulous," Pfeffer said. She and her husband came from Wilmington, Del., and were at the auction with friends from Baltimore. Pfeffer has attended in the past, but this was the first year she planned to bid on items.

"Every year it grows," Pfeffer said. "It is such a neat experience to see everyone come and support this."

Friday evening more than 2,000 chicken barbecue dinners were sold.

The event raised 10 percent more than last year's total of $600,000, said Martin, who would not give a specific figure. Funds from Haiti Benefit Auctions go to local Mennonite and Amish churches that support missions in Haiti including Christian Aid Ministries, Haiti Relief Mission, Water for Life and Gospel to Haiti.

Because event expenses are paid before the auction, all sales go directly to mission work.

The pahaitiauction.com website states: "Our ultimate goal is to bring [Haitians] to Christ through providing for their physical and spiritual needs. Relief is given throughout the country of Haiti without regard to race, religion, or creed."

"The amazing thing is the harmony of all this coming together," Martin said. "Everybody pulls together for the same goal."