A fun song that reminds us of the wonders of getting to know new people! Your Hudson Valley NY  Chapter will host a mixer in an effort to help chapter leaders from neighboring chapters get to know one another - so that we can work as a united team on your behalf. We hope that this event will not only build relationships between our chapters, but help us lay the groundwork to work on an inter-chapter project. A benefit for the Crossroad Springs Orphanage and School in Kenya - an effort to assist children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS - would be a strong possibility for this inter-chapter project.

Chapter Leaders will gather in October and get things rolling so that a benefit event like this could happen in 2006. We also hope this will be a time when other ideas for inter-chapter activities will surface and we need your help to make this happen! Please contact your chapter leaders (contact info listed below!) if you are excited about the Crossroad Springs Orphanage/School project or have other ideas for ways that chapters could work together to make a difference. Stay tuned for more information on our inter-chapter efforts to HELP THOSE IN NEED.

If you're short on time, but want to help others in your community or help meet a need in your church, getting involved with our Thrivent Financial chapter might be the answer for you. Through the flexibility of Thrivent Financial chapters, you have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and help others in a way that fits in your schedule. Please contact a member of our chapter leadership board for information about Thrivent Financial's chapter system and Care programs, and how you can get involved.

For congregations, the Care in Congregations® program provides supplemental funds for fundraising, or reimbursement for the materials needed for a volunteer hands-on project.  For individuals or families in need, or for non-profit organizations, the Care Abounds in Communities program provides that same help.  For needs that extend beyond your local community or even across the globe, Thrivent Financial Chapters can work together in the Care in Regions™ program.  Each program fills specific needs within our churches, communities and the world.

"How can I help?" you might ask.  The answer is simple... Get Involved! Serve as one of the three required Congregational Coordinators within your congregation, volunteer as a Thrivent Financial Chapter Leader, or simply volunteer your time to work on one or more Care projects. None of these roles involves a huge time or meeting commitment, yet the time you DO spend is rewarding beyond words. Information on current projects can always be found at the Thrivent Financial Members website, or you can contact one of the current Chapter Leaders for more information.  Answer the Call!