print
Chapters of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are organized geographically and bring together members to help others and help their community. Through the Care Abounds in Communities program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funding to members like you who form community service teams to conduct fund-raising activities and/or hands-on service activities to help individuals, families and qualified not-for-profit organizations. Through Care Abounds in Communities, anyone in our chapter can organize a community service team and help others. It doesn't take a lot of time or a long-term commitment!
Fundraisers • $100 minimum grant • $800 maximum for nonprofit organizations. Congregations do not qualify. Please contact your Care in Congregations® Coordinator for more information and guidelines on the Care in Congregations Program. • $5,000 maximum for individuals or families
The criteria and weights for evaluating projects are as follows:
The Community Service Teams must comply with all of the following to be eligible to receive funding from the chapter for fundraiser activities and hands on service projects.
To help you identify, organize, plan and implement your very own community service team activity, there are easy ABC 1•2•3 steps to guide you as well as ideas, checklists, and tips on line at www.thrivent.com/ABC
All Care Abounds in Communities applications are due no later than the 15th day of each month (excluding December) to the Community Service Team Director, Richard Mink for screening, assisting and processing. The Chapter Board reviews applications at the North Muskegon Russ' Restaurant (near the Fremont Exit from US-31) at 1:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to all Thrivent Financial members and especially to congregational coordinators. No special notices will be made for monthly meetings.
Fundraiser Activities: • Have a rummage sale to raise funds for a needy individual or your favorite nonprofit organization. Ask several people to donate items and help set up and work at the rummage sale. • Help a needy individual by holding a car wash. • Plan an activity to raise funds to purchase prizes and create games for a carnival for kids with special needs. • Raise money to fix a landmark. • Consult shelter wish lists - what could they use? Plan a bake sale to raise funds to purchase items on the wish list. • Contact a local volunteer center to find out what is needed in your community • Cut and sell firewood to raise funds for a needy individual or nonprofit organization. • As a fund-raiser for the school, plan a Muffins with Mom, Doughnuts with Dad or Goodies with Grandparents activity at a preschool or kindergarten. Charge a fee to attend. Offer magic, storytelling and games. • Have a bake sale to raise funds to put on a birthday party for shut ins. Themes of party could be circus, western, safari, etc. • Serve a "high tea" with tea sandwiches, petit fours, fruit, etc., as a fund-raiser to benefit a local nonprofit. Have a selection of fancy straw hats for patrons to wear - take pictures. • Conduct an old fashioned taffy pull. Fun for the entire family! Sell it by the bag for a fund-raiser. • Create silent auction baskets with different themes such as gardening, new baby, gourmet foods, household repairs, books and magazines, herbal teas and crumpets, pamper yourself (bubble bath, lotions, etc). • Raise funds by having a used-book sale. Ask people to donate their used books, videos, puzzles, etc. Conduct the sale at a popular place. • Plan a bake sale at a large company (maybe your workplace) to raise funds. • Sponsor a benefit dance with free will donations at the door. Silent auctions also go well at benefit dances. • Have a potato bake - baked potatoes with all the trimmings and salads. • Host a volleyball tournament. Provide concessions for attendees. Funds raised can go toward assisting a camp, school or other nonprofit organization or a needy individual. • Host a talent show in the community. Consider selling coffee or refreshments and ask for freewill offerings. • Plan "after prom activities" for students. Sell flowers or other items beforehand to raise funds for door prizes and savings bonds. Plan games and activities for the students. Hands on Service Projects • Help the homeless or other needy people by making personal care kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoos, compact mirrors, etc. • Clean up trash along a river or in a park. • Repair broken fences or other equipment at a park. • Contact a local volunteer center to find out what is needed in your community. • Provide Easter baskets for shut-ins. • Make birdhouses and feeders; then take to an area care home. Place where residents can enjoy. • Conduct a "trade your skills" activity and offer things such as landscaping, tailoring, fix-it work, wallpapering, canning, baking, car repair, etc., to help seniors. • Create gardening kits for seniors - include seeds, small potting plants, garden gloves, fertilizer, potting soil, large print instructions, small birdhouses, birdseed. • Build a wheelchair ramp for an accident victim or another needy individual.
President: Rev. Dennis Stroh, 3582 Sheringer Rd., Muskegon, MI 49444 Phone 231-767-8392, email d.stroh@comcast.net Vice-President: Silvia Koski, 1640 Hansen St, North Muskegon, MI 49445 Phone 231-744-0822, email skoski@wmis.net Records Director: Norman Knorr, 717 Lakeview Dr., Fremont, MI 49412 Phone 231-924-4749, email nknorr2@ncats.net Financial Director: Marty Lalik, Meloche, 3726 Mona Kai Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49444 Phone 231-737-1198, email meloche219@aol.com Assistant Financial Director: Char Meloche, 1619 Brookwood Rd., Muskegon MI 49441 Phone 231-799-8164, email meloche219@aol.com Congregation Service Team Director: Frank Hollister, 8779 Ferry St., Montague, MI 49437 Phone 231-894-9085, email: fhollister@hotmail.com Community Service Team Director: Richard Mink, 2520 Glenside Blvd., Muskegon MI 49441 Phone 231-759-4143, email richmink@aol.com Youth Director: William Hutton, 1611 Lawnel Ave., Muskegon MI 49441 Phone: 231-755-1362, email wphutton@netpenny.net Communications Director: Kryssis Bjork, 4180 E. Fruitport Rd., Fruitport, MI 49415 Phone 231-865-1373, email kryssisbjork@comcast.net
|
