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| Four page newsletter: Vol. III, No. 3 Summer 2006| Four page newsletter: Vol. III, No. 3 Summer 2006 | | |
| Gulf Coast Chapter, .....................The Wave.......................... |
| SUMMER EDITION www.lutheransonline.com/gulfcoastchapter |
2005 FRATERNAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE GULF COAST CHAPTER = $290,891.00
The Gulf Coast Chapter is one of nearly 1,400 nationwide chartered local units of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans that brings Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members together for charitable, social and educational activities. Chapters are organized geographically, primarily by county. All Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members belong to a chapter in the area in which they live, which enables them to aid themselves and others through voluntary action.
Each chapter has a leadership board made up of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who are elected and/or appointed. The chapter leadership board is responsible for allocating funds to service teams for helping individuals and community organizations.
In 2005 $12,344.00 was received by Lutheran organizations and congregations through the Care In Congregations® program. All of this was based on contributions from 77 Thrivent Financial members. During the year, 309 Gulf Coast Chapter members received 1,556 items that amounted to $29,597.00 in educational materials. Benefit members are eligible for one of each item available each year. They are yours for the asking.
Through your efforts 81 programs or activities were conducted, drawing 9,388 people from the communities. These activities resulted in 29,933 volunteer hours.
When it comes to caring for others, you were magnificent. Sixty projects were conducted by Community and Congregational teams. Funds raised by members plus supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial totaled $242,900.00.
For questions about our chapter or to get involved in our volunteer activities, contact a chapter leader by phone or email. Check out www.lutheransonline/gulfcoastchapter.com. Maybe it's time for you to consider becoming a Chapter Leader. It's a great way to serve your community, congregations and the Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial. For all of 2005 it totaled $290,891.00. Congratulations for all you do!
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| Join Hands Day Activites Completed for 2006 |
Chapter leaders, youth and adults from South Texas Congregations gathered again this year at Malaquite Beach to participate in the annual beach clean-up. Our thanks to all those that participated. The beach clean-up on June 10th brought out 90 members and guest to scan 3 miles of National Seashore picking up what man leaves behind. A lot of what's found on the beach washes up on shore from all points of the Gulf of Mexico. After a little over two-and-a-half hours on the beach, all gathered at the pavillion for hot dogs, cold drinks, chips and cookies. Check out the photo at www.lutheransonline/gulfcoastchapter.com.
Working for a Chapter of Excellence Award again this year, members met at the Corpus Christi Food Bank to sort all kinds of items for distribution to needy folks in the South Texas area. The Food Bank of Corpus Christi serves an eleven countyarea of South Texas. You can all be proud of what you do for area in and around the Gulf Coast. For more info and pictures go to www.lutheransonline.com/gulfcoastchapter.
The Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans would like to thank Park Ranger Ardrianna McClane for her assistance while at the National Seashore, and to Food Bank Warehouse Manager Frank Gallegos for their direction and assistance.
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We need you! In less than five months we'll be meeting again at the Back Street Cafe in Sinton to elect chapter leaders for 2007. Several of our current volunteers will have served three or four year terms at the end of 2006. You should be receiving the annual meeting registration form in an upcoming newsletter.
To check out what chapter leaders do and what it takes to do it, visit www.thrivent.com. The chapter board encourages congregational coordinators to be on the look out within their congregations for Thrivent Financial members who would make a good chapter leader. Annually, Chapter Leaders are responsible for the administration of approximately $20,000.00 in Care Abounds in Communities® funds that are awarded to individuals with special needs and qualifying organizations needing funds. Chapter Leaders assist congregations in receiving the Care in Congregations® funds for Lutheran churches. Chapter Leaders look for ways to assist their communities in annual Join Hands Day activities.
Maybe there is a cause that you are enthusiastic about and want to assist them in some way. If so, get involved.
Those whose terms will end in December 2006 are: Laura Atzenhoffer, Eunice Lewis, Elaine Brundrett and Jim Bixler. Each of these individuals held a vital post with the Gulf Coast Chapter for the past three to four years. Any Thrivent Financial member, 18 years of age or older is eligible. The more congregations represented on the Chapter Board the better. It is not necessary to be a benefit member to participate. For just $10.00 a year a member of your church can become an Associate Member.
If serving on the chapter leadership board does not work for you, but you would like to be involved or volunteer in some capacity, there are many other volunteer opportunities, both short-term and longer-term, available as well. Please contact us and we'll describe how you can make a difference through the Thrivent Financial chapter system in a way that fits into your schedule.
Call Diane Smith at (361) 776-5046, or email her at pleasefixitnow59@yahoo.com. Let her know of your interest. Then show up at the annual meeting in November.
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Hurricane season is with us through the end of November, and now is the time to get prepared for whatever blows our way. Residences of the Texas Gulf Coast should make an evacuation plan and share it with other family members. Here are some tips from the Governor's Division of Emergency Management:
DIAL 2-1-1 If you live along the Texas Gulf Coast you are in an Evacuation Zone and should consider an evacuation plan, preparing an emergency kit, and learning evacuation routes well in advance of any storm. To find out whether your residence is in an evacuation zone, dial 2-1-1.
If you have special health care needs and canot make transportation arrangements, register in advance by dialing 2-1-1.
If you you do not have a car or other vehicle, and you cannot get a ride with friends, neighbors or family, register in advance for a ride by dialing 2-1-1.
Do not wait until a storm is in the Gulf to register for assistance. Your information will be confidential. Please do it now. Have an emergency plan, and share it with neighbors, family and friends.
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| Thrivent Builds...Give a gift, Make a difference |
Thrivent Builds offers members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans® the opportunity to increase the impact of their donations to Habitat for Humanity International®. Thrivent Financial contributes $1 for every $2 members donate to Habitat for Humanity, up to a maximum supplement of $300 per member annually. Plus, when members volunteer 25 or more hours to Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial contributes another $25 per year to their donation.
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To learn more about Thrivent Builds Giving, to donate on line or to get a copy of the Thrivent Builds Giving donation form, visit on line at www.thriventbuilds.com.
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Your ideas and suggestions for this newsletter are earnestly solicited. Want to share what your church or service team is doing to help your congregation or better the community? This newletter is published four times annually, and we would like to hear from you. You may email ideas or suggestions to jimbixler@hotmail.com, or snailmail them to 2001 Toben Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412.
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This newsletter was written and edited by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter to keep you informed of chapter news. If you have any questions and/or comments about the content of this newsletter or would like to learn more about chapter activities being planned in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders. To access you chapter leader contact information, go to www.thrivent.com; Members/Chapters; Information About My Chapter; View Leadership/Activities/Website; Chapter Leadership Board.
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