Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter

Two page newsletter: October 2008

Two page newsletter: October 2008

Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter, Fall 2008

Your Vote is Important!

As a membership organization, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is unique to the financial services world in many ways. Our members choose who will represent them on the national board of directors governing the organization as well as choose their local chapter leadership board.

The election process is a very important way for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to demonstrate two required elements of a fraternal benefit society:
1. An active, viable chapter system that involves many members
2. A representative form of government.
Without this election process, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans would not qualify as a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society and would not be able to provide the benefits to needy individuals, congregations and communities that it does today.

Please exercise your right to vote in your Central Blue Ridge-NC Chapter's leadership board election. Elections will take place on Sunday, November 9 and Sunday, November 16 at the Lutheran churches in the chapter. Look for more details in your church bulletin. VOTING MUST BE DONE IN PERSON AT THE ELECTION LOCATION. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

If you have questions about elections, or would like to serve on the board contact a current board member:
    President - John Hodan, 828-684-8961, jahodan@charter.net
    Vice President - Steve Stanfield-Switzer, 828-693-6961, stanfieldswitzer@aol.com
    Financial Director - Margo Rabon, 828-697-5494, margorabon@aol.com
    Assistant Financial Director - Linda Licht, 828-699-4443, lindamlicht@yahoo.com
    Congregational Service Team Director - Paula Lindsay, 828-252-3248, lindsaypb@bellsouth.net

Thrivent Supports Your Community

Did you know that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans allotted over $24,000 to the Central Blue Ridge-NC Chapter through Care Abounds in Communities® in 2008? Your board has dispersed over $19,000 of these funds to date. Thrivent members have been imaginative in coming up with projects to benefit an amazing array of individuals and organizations. Here are just a few projects that have been funded in the past year and the organizations that they have supported.

TLC Cafe created a coffee house atmosphere with live music, gourmet coffee and cookies served. Proceeds supported the Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care music therapy program.

A Yard and Bake Sale provided cash assistance through Volunteer Avery County for trailer park residents forced to move.

An Oktoberfest dinner with door prizes provided support for Transylvania County Volunteers in Medicine and Sharing House.

A Shrimp Boil benefited Habitat for Humanity of Macon County.

School children made fleece blankets for Mission Hospital Pediatric Center through a hands-on project.

A German Dinner supported the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County.

Dental kits were assembled for patients at the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry through another hands-on project.

Backpacks and school supplies were collected and delivered to Jackson County elementary school children in need.

A Hot Dog and Hamburger Dinner was planned and served by Boy Scout Troop 236 in Franklin with proceeds used to buy troop supplies for this special needs troop.

There are still 2008 Care Abounds in Communities funds available. If you know of a need in your community and would like to help, there is still time to make a request this year. 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! Contact a member of our chapter leadership board as noted in this newsletter for assistance in getting started.