Four page newsletter: Second Quarter Newsletter 2009| Four page newsletter: Second Quarter Newsletter 2009 | | |
| Duluth Area Chapter, Member News-- Second Quarter 2009 |
| Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Night at the Huskies |
Come cheer on the Duluth Huskies as they take on the Thunder Bay Border Cats - and support a great cause while doing it! Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is sponsoring a Huskies baseball game on Saturday, August 8th. A postcard has been mailed that will admit up to four people at a cost of just $2 per ticket. Thrivent members are invited to host a guest and share the fun! All proceeds will benefit Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. and the gates open at 6:05 p.m. Wade Stadium is located at 101 North 35th Avenue West in Duluth. For more information, contact Luke Reynebeau at 763-746-3175 or luke.reynebeau@thrivent.com.
| Work Continues on local Thrivent Builds Project |
During the warm summer months, it is easy to forget the days of freezing temperatures and accumulating snow that mark a North Shore winter. But the hard-workers of Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity (WLSHFH), the recently united affiliates formerly known as Habitat for Humanity Carlton County and HFH-Duluth, will never forget the importance of a warm house. This year, WLSHFH has teamed up with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to provide one worthy family with affordable housing in Cloquet. The Carlton County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is working closely with WLSHFH to provide volunteers and funding for the project that began with a Ground Blessing ceremony on a chilly May 16th. The Duluth Area Chapter of Thrivent Financial has also pledged a supporting role for this build.
Through its alliance with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial will help 311 families realize their dream of home-ownership in the year 2009. This is an alliances that began in 2005 with a $125-million commitment by Thrivent Financial. For each build, Thrivent Financial contributes 65% of the cost of the build. The remaining 35% comes from the local Habitat for Huminity affiliate and the Lutheran community.
This home will not build itself! Many volunteers are needed to make this dream home a reality.
-Skilled workers needed to lead and teach a small group of willing, but perhaps inexperienced volunteers.
-Eager volunteers from all walks of life are needed to put their faith in action by swinging hammers, painting, hanging siding, etc. No experience necessary, but volunteers limited to those over 15 years of age.
-Volunteers needed to provide meals for work groups. This is an excellent opportunity for those unable to help with construction.
-Devotion leaders needed to begin each build day with prayer and reflection.
-Pray! Please pray for the build, the volunteers, and the family who will soon enjoy the blessing of a new home.
Please visit www.habitatduluth.com for a build schedule and call the Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity at 218-722-3875 to volunteer!
| Chapter Projects Funded Through June 2009 |
This year, the Duluth Area Chapter has more than $31,000 available to distribute to needy people and nonprofit organizations through the Care Abounds in Communities program. The following projects have been completed through June 2009.
Amount Given Volunteer Hours
3 Medical Fundraisers $4500 973
Aftenro Home 1025 60
Lakeshore Auxiliary 191 140
Lake Superior Lutheran Education Association 410 30
Lake Superior Youth Chorus 1098 171
Promise Preschool 333 25
SW St. Louis Fair Association 427 74
Union Gospel Mission Agape Meals and Donation Drive 900 129
The chapter leadership board has also approved $7050 for 9 projects in progress.
| ATTENTION GROUPS REQUESTING FUNDS |
The Duluth Area Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has approved policies and guidelines for groups and individuals requesting supplemental funds. These guidelines can be found on the chapter's website, www.lutheransonline.com/duluthareachapter under the heading Project Request Forms. If these guidelines are not followed, your request may be denied.
| Fraternal Highlights for 2008 |
---In 2008, the Duluth Area Chapter had 4,471 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who, along with Lutheran congregations in the area, join together for social, education, and volunteer activities. The Duluth Area Chapter is one of nearly 1,400 geographic groups of Thrivent Financial members making a difference for organizations, congregations, and individuals in need within their communities.
---Last year, 167 chapter and congregational activities were conducted, resulting in 30,174 volunteer hours. Funds raised totaled $239,361, which were supplemented with $83,690 from Thrivent Financial to multiply the good we do together for a total of $323,051.
---Contributions from 5,673 members in the East Minnesota Northwest Wisconsin region were supplemented through the Giving Plus program for a total of $710,822 given to 89 Lutheran Organizations.
---Thrivent Financial for Lutherans contributed $457,837 to support Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity projects in the East Minnesota Northwest Wisconsin region. An additional $65,725 was raised by local members who also contributed to 11,793 volunteer hours to build 7 homes.
| Duluth Area Chapter Activities |
The first half of 2009 has definitely been busy for the Duluth Area Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
---On a cold January 23rd, the Parrott family was given a Bible and the keys to their new home. The house, a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity project, was dedicated in the presence of the new homeowners, Thrivent Financial chapter leaders and representatives, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, representatives from local organizations, and build supporters.
---On May 16, Thrivent Financial celebrated the opening of a new Regional Office in Duluth. The weekend-long event included great food, entertainment, and Thrivent Builds interactive learning activities. Thrivent is pleased to report that 250 members and guests attended these activities over three days. The Duluth Area Chapter of Thrivent Financial, through the Care Abounds in Communities program, supported a service activity to provide donated items for Lutheran Social Services, Renaissance House and other outreach programs. It was a celebration enjoyed by all involved.
---Thrivent Financial members and guests watched and cheered as the Huskies beat the Battle Creek Bombers. There were 84 Thrivent members and their guests in attendance at the June 14 game. One dollar from each ticket sold is supporting the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity home being built now in Cloquet.
---Nearly a dozen Lutheran youth helped provide some much needed refreshment on a very warm Grandma's Marathon on June 22. The youth and supervising adults were stationed at mile marker 20 and passed out water to runners to celebrate Join Hands Day.
---Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Night at the Huskies is August 8. See front of newsletter for more details.
---This September, various financial workshops will be held at the Thrivent Financial Regional Office. Watch for more details.
| WANTED: LUTHERANS WITH CARING HEARTS |
Would you like to be even more involved with Thrivent Financial? The Duluth Area Chapter will have board vacancies for the 2010 year and need caring Lutherans - like you - to fill them! There will be more information regarding available positions in the third quarter newsletter. Please prayerfully consider the possibility of serving on the Duluth Area Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
| Duluth Area Chapter Leadership Board 2009 |
President Craig Carlson ccarlson@cp.duluth.mn.us 218-349-1608
Vice President Esther North enorth1515@hotmail.com 218-727-1043
Financial Director Eric Branson brans041@d.umn.edu 218-343-2953
Assistant Financial Director John Nys jnys@duluthlaw.com 218-206-0284
Records Director Jane Olson janeolson@isp.com 218-724-2368
Congregational Service Team Director Liz Pearson pearson1127@gmail.com 218-724-4819
Community Service Team Director Diane Koranda diane.koranda@gmail.com 218-628-1213
Events Director Zelda Cherne zlc13@hotmail.com 218-390-5592
Youth Director Laura A Hanson lola-l-g@juno.com 218-724-8539
Financial Associate Advisors Scott Fahlsing scott.fahlsing@thrivent.com 218-625-4000
Pam Jacobson pam.jacobson@thrivent.com 218-624-7571
Ben Murfin ben.murfin@thrivent.com 218-529-2397
Jeff Reinemann jeffrey.reinemann@thrivent.com 218-525-2337
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