We encourage you to participate in the ninth annual JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 3, 2008. This national day of volunteering is sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to generate awareness about the impact of grassroots volunteerism. It encourages youth and adults to come together to identify, plan and conduct activities to improve their communities.

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 conducted nearly 3,000 activities across the country.
 
To strengthen the impact of this special day of service, we prefer chapter service teams to conduct JOIN HANDS DAY activities on or near May 3, but eligible activities may be held between April 1 and June 30. Also, activities held on May 3 may be considered for national recognition by JOIN HANDS DAY—contact a chapter leader for details.  Please find your local chapter information listed below.

Hope Lutheran Church will once again participate in the Pride in Jackpot Day.  For more information contact Sharon Feltman at 775-755-2351.

For Join Hands Day Information for St. Mark Lutheran Church, please contact Charlotte Schneider at
775-738-8164.

Faith Lutheran Church will take part in the Take Pride in Your Community Cleanup Greenup and Recycle Day on April 26th.  For more information contact Teri Lockie at 775-753-9787.

For Join Hands Day Information for Immanual Lutheran Church, please contact Vicki Swope at
775-289-3883.

You’ll find that the rewards of participating far outweigh the time and effort involved in planning an activity. So tell your family, friends and congregation about this day, then "join hands" and see the power of membership grow!

Through Thrivent Financial's GivingPlus® program, members can donate financial gifts to two different Lutheran organizations enrolled in the program each year, and Thrivent Financial will contribute $1 for every $2, up to $300 per year for each organization. For example, if you donate gifts of $600 or more to two eligible Lutheran organizations each, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $600 ($300 for each organization). In addition, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $25 for members who volunteer 25 hours or more at the organization receiving their gift.

All you need to do is complete a GivingPlus Member Gift form (available online or from the Lutheran organization) and submit it with your donation to the Lutheran organization. It's a very simple process.