At its Monday, Feb. 27 meeting, the Board approved funding requests as follows:
Lutheran Girl Pioneers - a Hands On project Sept. 16 to benefit the Joy House
Friends of Watertown Community Cable - Cable13 Televised Live Auction for studio equipment
St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Helenville - Fair & Talent Show to replace kitchen oven
50 Needy Individuals in Ukraine - Hands On project, first aid/hygiene kits for “Gift of Life” Mission
Please remember you are always welcome to attend Board Meetings!

Congregational Coordinator Training Event a Success!
Over 60 CCs from 27 (out of 34) different congregations in the Jefferson County Chapter attended a February 22 gathering to learn more about the Thrivent Care programs from the Board and from each other. The two hour meeting was conducted at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Helenville, and although we were a little “tight,” no one seemed to mind and in fact commented that everyone could hear well. The various Board members were introduced and each spoke briefly about their position. A slide show was presented in an attempt to help those with computers be more comfortable with the Thrivent web sites, and a CD containing forms and other goodies was distributed to each congregation. Chris Stelzer from the Regional office was on hand as well. Coordinators received cash or cash+cups+napkins for congregational use as a thank you for attending. Refreshments were enjoyed by all.

The seventh annual JOIN HANDS DAY is on Saturday, May 6, 2006. This national day of volunteering sparks friendships among people of all generations as youth and adults come together to plan and conduct activities to improve their communities. We encourage you to participate in this special day, which is sponsored by America’s Fraternal Benefit Societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and our members strongly support the purpose of this special day and the impact it has on communities nationwide. Last year, youth and adult members had a ball conducting more than 3,000 activities across the country. The ideas were limited only by the imagination.

Last year, a team of Lake Mills adults and students from Lakeside Lutheran High created flower beds and did landscaping around the new St. Paul’s Lutheran School. In 2005, eight of the 20 Award of Excellence activities chosen by JOIN HANDS DAY were conducted by Thrivent Financial members. The planning groups received $1,000 each to donate to a cause or use for this year’s JOIN HANDS DAY activities.

How can you participate in 2006? It's easy. Find a need, form a service team of individuals from six separate Thrivent Financial households, and contact one of our chapter leaders to see how we can help you. We have many resources to help make your activity great, such as:

- A checklist that includes everything you need to know to conduct a successful activity and receive funding from the chapter.
- Promotional items to help you recruit volunteers and publicize your activity for optimum attendance.
- Funding to purchase T-shirts, refreshments, supplies and more.

While we prefer chapter service teams to conduct JOIN HANDS DAY activities on May 6, you may plan your activity for anytime between April 1 and June 30. However, only activities held on May 6 will be considered for national recognition by JOIN HANDS DAY.

You’ll find that the rewards of participating far outweigh the time and effort involved in planning an activity. And your chapter leadership board is here to help you along the way. Please call on Jon Nelson for more information.

Thrivent Builds Day at Miller Park will close out an exciting Thrivent Builds Week in Milwaukee (May 8th - May 12th). During Thrivent Builds Week, 8 homes will be framed in a “blitz build” with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. One of those 8 homes will be built in the parking lot of Miller Park and will be finished on May 12th just prior to the Brewers vs. Mets ballgame. Following the game, the house will be moved to its permanent address at 1930 N. 38th Street in Milwaukee.

Thrivent Builds Day at Miller Park will include the following events:
• A key to the Thrivent Builds home built in the Miller Park parking lot will be presented to a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina;
• A check presentation of $691,300 to Habitat for Humanity for the Thrivent Builds program in Milwaukee;
• A Thrivent sponsored choir to sing the national anthem;
• A representative of Thrivent Financial will throw out the first pitch; and
• A Thrivent Builds video played on the Miller Park video board showing highlights of Thrivent Builds Week.

The ticket price for this game is only $11 for a Loge Outfield Box seat. Make checks payable to: "Jefferson Co. WI Chapter Thrivent Financial" and mail together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope no later than April 10, 2006 to: Kim Winters - 605 N. Votech Drive - Watertown, WI 53098-1123

Through its Care Abounds for Communities® program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funding for members who, through volunteer activities, want to aid people and nonprofit organizations needing help in the community. The chapter leadership board is responsible for reviewing funding requests and deciding on the amount of funds to provide for each request.  New people are now being sought for chapter leader positions to help continue the fraternal benefit tradition of helping others.

REQUIREMENTS: A Thrivent Financial member, a desire to help others, and five to 12 hours per month of volunteer time.