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619 N Broadway
701-235-7389 |
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King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew
25:40
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Agency
Needs
Lost & Found Ministry
Pastor Richard Luedtke, 218-287-2089
Extraordinary Needs: Presently we are seeking funding for
two areas of need. We urgently need funds for both new and
replacement materials to maintain and upgrade the library. With
the rise of concern in the community about Methamphetamine
addiction, Lost and Found has been seeking to add resources to
increase what has become an important community resource for
education and intervention. This little ministry is an
expression of the concern of the whole church in this community
to people affected by addiction. This requires us both to serve
and seek support from the entire community. Lost and Found is
also an important resource for parish nurses and pastors when
confronted with human needs.
Volunteer Needs: We have over 30 adult volunteers who
help us in many ways, allowing us to stay open evenings, helping
us process our circulation, First Lutheran has two member
volunteers, Tom Espel and Keith Gilleshammer, serving on Lost
and Found’s board of directors. We continue to recruit and
welcome new volunteers. We occasionally use youth volunteers
with limits because of the nature of our clientele. College
students are among our evening volunteers.
Miscellaneous: We would like to bring the story of Lost
and Found into your worship at some time, particularly to
encourage use of these resources by people seeking help with
addiction problems for themselves and those they love. We are
sometimes described by those who find us as one of
Fargo-Moorhead’s best kept secrets.
Bethany Homes
Grant R. Richardson, 701-239-3531
Extraordinary Needs: For a number of years, Bethany has
offered the Health Career Educational Loan Program (HELP) to
assist employees with tuition costs as they participate in
educational programs to enhance their knowledge and upgrade
their skills as health care providers. The program has been an
excellent method to improve care delivery, build employee morale
and improve employee retention. Due to threatened reimbursement
from the Legislature, this program is unfounded this budget year
at Bethany Homes.
Volunteer Needs: Yes! We have a philosophy that supports
voluntarism to complement the work of employees and help keep
the cost of quality care down. More than 450 adult and youth
volunteers work in our coffee/gift shops and business office,
assist with church services, answer phones, exercise our therapy
animals, participate in resident activities, assist with meals,
teach computer and help in myriad other ways.
We have a formal Junior Volunteer Program during the summer but
welcome and encourage youth to volunteer year-round. Students
can be involved in most of the volunteer activities available to
adults. We have found that the youth often “connect” with out
senior residents in a very special way. Youth volunteers offer
service that is beneficial to the residents, and is also good
for the students.
Miscellaneous: Simply put, be advocates for us. As
relatives and friends reach the point in their lives where they
aren’t able to care for themselves any longer or they choose to
rid themselves of the demands of maintaining their own home,
encourage them to look at the various levels of care available
at Bethany Homes. A vast majority of our residents come to us
from referrals from family and friends of current or former
residents.
Caring Program for Children
Geraldine Kennedy, 701-282-1102
Volunteer Needs: Yes, for our “Caring Council” in Fargo.
The members support both outreach and fundraising. Volunteers
from First Lutheran would be very welcome.
I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for one or two high
school students to be involved with the council.
Miscellaneous: Refer First Lutheran members to the Caring
Program who may be eligible for its benefits. We have mailed
brochures and flyers to parish nurses around the state,
including First Lutheran, and have asked them to make it
accessible to parishioners. If you need more materials or if you
would be interested in a presentation, please call me at
282-1102.
Red River Youth for Christ/Youth
Guidance
Ralph “Bo” Huntley, 701-237-6682
Volunteer Needs: Yes. Staff to help run boys & girls
groups and to go into the facilities. No opportunities for youth
volunteers.
Miscellaneous: Please pray for us!
Lutheran Campus Ministry
University Lutheran Center at NDSU Pastor Darin Johnson,
701-232-2587
Extraordinary Needs: We are planning now for the opening
of a student-run coffeehouse outreach at the ULC. We need
coffee-making and related equipment (brewers, espresso machine,
glass-front refrigerator, blender, and various storage
containers, etc.). We also need sound equipment, a video
projection system, commercial-grade tables and chairs, new
flooring and 'hip' light fixtures. Our lower roof is now in need
of replacement and someday soon we would be grateful to have
off-street parking.
Volunteer Needs: We need professional electrical work
(adding new circuits, lighting, and sound system) and some
plumbing. We also need volunteers to paint, install flooring,
hang art and shelving, and a variety of other fix-it projects.
Hospice of the Red River
Valley
Jean Anderson, 701-356-1508
Extraordinary Needs: Hospice of the Red River Valley is
implementing a new patient care data system which will require
laptop computers for staff that are out making home visits with
patients. $25,000 is needed to fill that need.
Volunteer Needs: Yes, we have a comprehensive volunteer
program and an ongoing need for volunteers to work with patients
as well as to assist with fundraising and public relations
events and office work. We have youth volunteers that we work
with individually to assist with patients who are under the care
of Hospice of the Red River Valley, but who live in nursing
homes. We also use youth volunteers in our office.
Miscellaneous: Talk about Hospice of the Red River Valley
– remembering that we work in the patient’s home – whether that
is a residence or nursing home or hospital. Encourage families
facing end-of-life issues to seek help from Hospice of the Red
River Valley ‘early on.’ Patients appropriate for care are those
who have received a diagnosis of six months or less to live.
Elim Care Center
Tim Hager, 701-271-1800
Extraordinary Needs: Although we believe that we will
finish this year with adequate revenues to meet our needs, we
did have to borrow money ($600,000+) to replace carpet, paint
walls, etc. to maintain the facility’s appearance. The
chaplaincy department consists of a full-time chaplain with a
primary focus on resident ministry, and a part-time chaplain
with a focus on ministry to our employees. The budget for this
department is about $50,000 including wages, benefits, supplies,
equipment, travel, training, etc. Any monies raised toward this
$50,000 will reduce the amount of resources that might be
allocated from other important areas.
Volunteer Needs: Yes, Elim has a great need for
volunteers. In fact, this is an area of new focus for
development. To the extent that we can utilize volunteers, we
can direct more resources to the important areas of direct care
and ministry. Volunteers make it possible to extend our ministry
and service in ways not otherwise possible, and have a very
special impact on our ministry. Areas for which we are
currently recruiting volunteers include:
Hospitality Volunteers: These individuals volunteer at
the front desk, answering telephones and directing visitors, for
a 4-hour period, once per week.
Friendly Cove: The Friendly Cove gift and Coffee Shop is
a function of the Friends of Elim auxiliary. It is staffed
exclusively by volunteers who weekly to monthly work 4-8 hour
shifts. (Emphasis to show special need at this time.) Proceeds
from Friendly Cove sales go to various projects to benefit Elim
residents, i.e. bus, wheelchair accessible swing, resident
bathing system.
One to One: Volunteers who are specially interested and
gifted may volunteer with individual residents regularly for
routine visits, reading, Bible study and prayer, letter writing,
walking, wheelchair rides, accompaniment to activities, etc.
Other volunteer opportunities being developed include:
Giving Assisted Living resident rides to appointments
Serving as dining room hosts
Assisting with in-house wheelchair transportation
Conducting daily current events
Serving as Children’s Center assistants
Leading a weekly or monthly men’s group leader
And, many other opportunities specific to a volunteer’s
interest.
We invite and welcome youth volunteers, for they bring a
youthful vibrancy that can be so refreshing to out residents.
Opportunities for youth volunteers include such activities as
assisting with resident outings, transporting wheelchair
residents within Elim, one to one visitation, assisting with
game-night, and many of the other volunteer opportunities
identified above.
Miscellaneous: Our chaplains conduct a chapel service
each morning. We are often in need of musicians and piano or
keyboard players for that chapel service. We welcome
opportunities to dialogue about other partnering initiatives
between First Lutheran Church and Elim.
YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead
Marcia Paulson, 701-232-2547
Extraordinary Needs: Currently our organization is in the
middle of a capital campaign to build a new emergency shelter.
We are finding the support for this campaign to be overwhelming.
We are also finding that people who annually contribute to the
general operations of the YWCA are oftentimes splitting their
contributions between the two. This reinforces our need to seek
and cultivate new donors to our organization. Although somewhat
challenged, at present, we feel confident we will make our
annual budget with the continued support of our community
partners.
Volunteer Needs: Yes. Volunteers are needed in each of
the YWCA programs to assist staff, to answer phones and help
with office work, and special events. Youth volunteers are
needed for painting projects, yard work, and volunteering with
children.
Miscellaneous: Continue to have a representative from
your congregation on our Auxiliary Committee. Our Auxiliary
Committee is composed of representatives from faith-based
organizations and does a lot for the YWCA. Having a
representative on our Auxiliary Committee ensures that your
congregation will be kept up-to-date on the happenings and needs
of the YWCA. Transport YWCA participants to church services upon
request.
Rainbow Bridge Safe
Exchange/Visitation Center
Jody Bittrich, 218-299-7231
Extraordinary Needs: Rainbow Bridge is the premiere
visitation in the region. Our program requires that staff
maintain a minimum of 40 hours of training per year. This past
year, many staff reached 60 hours of on-going training. Due to
budget restraints, the first cut was professional development.
$200.00 per staff would allow staff to attend training
throughout the region to maintain the high level of professional
education staff needs to ensure safety for our children. $200
per 5 total staff is needed.
Volunteer Needs: Volunteers are always needed. They are
crucial to the program. Volunteers facilitate exchanges and
monitor supervised visits. Without volunteers, Rainbow Bridge
would not be able to serve as many families. The volunteers that
help to provide services need to be 18 years of age or older.
However, Rainbow Bridge can utilize younger children for
mailings and other one-time projects at Rainbow Bridge.
Miscellaneous: Rainbow Bridge needs support from all
community members. Without support and/or referrals, Rainbow
Bridge will not be able to serve clients.
Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead,
Inc.
Harriet Mohrbacher, 701-237-0359
Volunteer Needs: Yes. Volunteers are always needed at
Birthright! Because Birthright is a volunteer organization –
volunteers serve in many capacities: staff office hours, public
relations, fundraising, grant writing, art work, cleaning, pick
up donations, mailings, maternity closet coordinator, prayer
chain, host baby or “mommy showers.” Training is provided.
Birthright has only one paid staff person, the executive
director. At this time we would like to expand our office hours
and are in need of volunteers who would be willing to staff
either a two-hour evening shift or a two-hour Saturday shift.
This would require four people. Also we are looking for someone
who would be able to organize and recruit a Birthright
Auxiliary. Volunteers who work with clients must be at least 18
years old. Younger volunteers could help with mailings, sort
baby clothes, vacuum, and dust.
Miscellaneous: We appreciate the financial support we
receive from First Lutheran…and that you are willing to place
our announcements and requests in your Sunday bulletins. Your
congregation had been very generous in responding to out needs.
Donations of maternity and baby clothing, diapers, formula, and
other baby supplies are always needed. Also we ask for your
prayers.
Native American Christian
Ministry
Rev. Richard Luedtke, 701-237-4453
Extraordinary Needs: The situation of NACM relative to
transportation is unusual, but for us, this is an operation
expense, not an extraordinary one.
Volunteer Needs: We need someone with computer expertise
to help us set up a small computer lab for which we have
hardware.
Miscellaneous: We covet your prayers, and thank you for
your indirect support through the ELCA, the END synod, and the
Central Cities Ministry for which NACM is a distribution site.
F-M Dorothy Day House of
Hospitality, Inc.
Desera Grimley, 218-233-5763
Extraordinary Needs: Our roof on our shelter is rotted
and we will need to have it fixed soon.
Within a couple weeks, we will have an estimate.
Volunteer Needs: We currently have a need for volunteer
Board members and for aid at our food pantry. Youth groups may
come for projects at the pantry, for handing out food baskets
and for unloading trucks.
Miscellaneous: Parishioners can help by giving of their
time, talent, resources and prayers.
Luther Crest Bible Camp &
Retreat Center
Rev. Arden Norum (Retiring end of August 2003) 320-846-2431
Extraordinary Needs: We currently have two “failing”
pick-up trucks. It is our request to obtain a good used 4
wheel-drive pickup truck with a snowplow attached. The
approximate cost is $7,500 - $10,000.
The Salvation Army
Steven Carbno, 701-232-5565
Extraordinary Needs: At this time we have no pressing
needs that we cannot meet. We are cautious with the funding
cutbacks experienced on a state and local level that this might
change.
Volunteer Needs: We are always in need of volunteers to
assist is with our operations. We are looking for a group to
assist one Sunday evening a month to help serve the homeless and
needy a meal. This involves a 2-hour commitment from 5-6 people.
We need volunteer help at holiday time for distribution of food
baskets and toys. Several churches adopt kettles to help raise
funds at the time of year. There are positions for volunteers
through the week in food services, clerical, and other
positions. These all help us direct more money to the needy by
not having to pay for a lot of the services provided by the
volunteers. We have hosted your confirmation classes each year
for several years doing service projects at out Thrift Store.
Along with providing service to us, we share with them how their
efforts assist the needy in the community.
Miscellaneous: Your parishioners can always keep us in
their prayers as we fulfill our mission in the community.
Additionally, we are in the process of recruiting Advisory Board
members. If there are individuals that would like to be a part
of “behind the scene” activities we would welcome them to
contact us.
Nokomis Child Care Center
Nichole Nelson, 701-232-5635
Extraordinary Needs: We are still fund-raising to cover
the $333,000 cost of purchasing and remodeling a new Nokomis II
building. The amount needed is about $92,000.
Volunteer Needs: We need volunteers to work as classroom
aides; conduct fund-raisers; serve on the board of directors &
Friends of Nokomis; and perform office, lawn care, and handyman
chores. Youth volunteers are needed for most of the above listed
chores.
Miscellaneous: We are looking for volunteers to make a
small quilt that would recognize donors to our Capital Campaign.
It would be hung on the wall at the new building.
KFNW, Northwestern College &
Radio
Gary Herr, 701-282-5910
Extraordinary Needs: KFNW has two visionary signal
improvement projects at various stages of planning. We hope to
raise funds for these as various governmental and organizational
approvals are granted.
Volunteer Needs: Yes, to assist with the annual sharathon
held to raise our operating funds for each year. WE have a need
for stat processing volunteers during the sharathon and at other
times throughout the year. We do not have any opportunities for
youth volunteers at this time.
Miscellaneous: It would really encourage us to learn that
there is concerted prayer from the folks at First Lutheran for
the work of KFNW in this community.
Fargo-Moorhead Emergency Food
Pantry
Linda Clark, 701-237-9337
Volunteer Needs: We ask churches to volunteer for one or
two weeks a year. Youth volunteers may come with adults.
Miscellaneous: By having food drives and MN Foodshare in
March.
Churches United for the
Homeless
Gary Groberg, 218-236-0372
Extraordinary Needs: Yes, a separate Capital Campaign is
being paid to allow us to move into renovated, larger, safer
quarters.
Volunteer Needs: Yes, we use volunteers in our kitchen,
food pantry, storage areas, and in out weekly worship service.
Youth volunteers are needed in the same areas as above,
providing proper adult supervision is done.
Miscellaneous: Donations of food, clothing, furniture,
bedding, personal hygiene supplies are also needed.
AAA Pregnancy Clinic
Pauline Economon, 701-237-5902
Extraordinary Needs: We are in need of an upgrade to our
clinic’s technology – computers and phone system. We are
applying to another organization for a grant to do so.
Volunteer Needs: We always need volunteers to help with
general office duties. Additionally, we have a need for
volunteers on both a regular basis and intermittently for
various functions i.e., computer work, filing, help with a
newsletter mailing, baby clothes organization, etc. Our Make a
Sound Choice (character and abstinence education) needs youth to
help ongoing programs in churches and the community. Again,
there are in-house volunteers needed to do general office work
and work at special events.
Miscellaneous: We would sincerely appreciate if you could
add our Clinic’s ministry to your prayer concern list. We depend
upon our community, not only for financial needs, but more
importantly, for our Lord’s grace to continue to provide quality
services to area families and youth in need.
University Lutheran Center at
NDSU
Pastor Darin Johnson, 701-232-2587
Extraordinary Needs: We are planning now for the opening
of a student-run coffeehouse outreach at the ULC. We need
coffee-making and related equipment (brewers, espresso machine,
glass-front refrigerator, blender, and various storage
containers, etc.). We also need sound equipment, a video
projection system, commercial-grade tables and chairs, new
flooring and 'hip' light fixtures. Our lower roof is now in need
of replacement and someday soon we would be grateful to have
off-street parking.
Volunteer Needs: We need professional electrical work
(adding new circuits, lighting, and sound system) and some
plumbing. We also need volunteers to paint, install flooring,
hang art and shelving, and a variety of other fix-it projects.
Rape and Abuse Crisis Center
of Fargo-Moorhead
Beth Haseltine, 701-293-7273
Extraordinary Needs: The Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of
Fargo-Moorhead faces the biggest financial challenge in its
history. Funding cuts have taken effect already, more cuts will
take effect on January 1, 2004, and additional cuts are almost
certain. All the cuts that have been identified so fat are in
our children’s services and will have a direct impact on our
ability to help the most vulnerable people in out caseload,
children who have been sexually abused or who have witnessed
domestic violence. Grant dollars for victims services I
Minnesota has been reduced by 47% which will result in another
$66,000 cut for our agency. As the economy has soured,
individual contributions and foundation support has diminished.
Times like these are precisely the time when the community needs
our services the most. We prepared a “flat” budget for 2003 in
anticipation of funding cuts; our 2004 budget will need to be
reduced even further. Any additional cuts will require
reductions in services. Because of the nature of the work at a
24-hour crisis center, cutting services is not an easy task.
Volunteer Needs: Yes. Our Center depends heavily upon
volunteers; volunteer advocates provide the equivalent of 8-1/4
full-time employees. Volunteer Advocates are required to
complete 48-hour training program. Volunteers attend special
training before participating in the CourtWatch program. Other
volunteers help with fund-raising and clerical duties. On-site
training is available if there is enough interest. All
volunteers agree to abide by the Center’s confidentiality
requirements. Contact Cindy Ulland, Volunteer Coordinator, at
293-7273 or cindy@rappfm.com for information about volunteering.
Youth volunteers are included in our education and outreach
activities. Youth volunteers participate in a skit troupe that
presents an anti-violence/anti-harassment message to their
peers. Youth volunteers are encouraged to participate in certain
fund-raising projects and clerical tasks. Contact Angela Bachman
at 293-7273 or angela@raccfm.com for information about the skit
troupe.
Miscellaneous: We would welcome members of First Lutheran
Church to host “Partners In Peace” meetings at the church or in
their homes. This program is built around a videotape
presentation that was produced by the Rape and Abuse Crisis
Center. Contact Angela Bachman at 293-7273 or angela@raccfm.com
for additional information about this awareness project.
Many in the community help the Center with in-kind donations.
There is constant need for quilts and personal care items. The
Center is involved in an on-going drive to collect used cellular
telephones. From time-to-time, the Center needs help with
building maintenance, repairs, and furniture moving. Last
summer, a group from First Lutheran helped us collate and
assemble a 1,500-piece mailing project.
The Center also needs help with fund-raising. We conduct several
of our own fund-raising events that can always use additional
help, or individuals/groups are welcome to define and implement
their own fund-raisers to benefit the Center. In the past,
people have organized concerts, poetry readings, style shows,
penny drives, walk-a-thons, etc., to benefit the Rape and Abuse
Crisis Center. Some churches in our service area organize
special offerings for our Center, usually in the month of
February to commemorate “Love without Fear” month. Please
contact Allan Dregseth at 293-7273 or allan@raccfm.com to
explore fund-raising possibilities.
Lutheran Social Services of
North Dakota
Mark Chamberlain, (701) 476-9103 or
mchamberlain@lssnd.org
Extraordinary Needs: LSS/ND depends on the support from
generous church members across the state like the members of
First Lutheran to allow us keep our 19 programs operating when
government and grant monies just aren’t enough to cover the
necessary costs of operation. Because of this, we encourage you
to donate to our general operating fund so we can provide
mission support to our vulnerable programs. This year our Luther
Hall, New American Services, Senior Companion Program and Great
Plains Food Bank are in need of mission support. We need your
help to raise the $166,000 needed to meet these needs.
Volunteer Needs: We have many volunteer opportunities for
varying group sizes –individuals to large groups. Some examples
are sponsoring a refugee family, helping mentor or teach a new
American, sorting and repacking food at the Great Plains Food
Bank, becoming a Senior Companion, mentoring at-risk youth,
assembling mailings, and making a difference in so many other
valuable ways. Specific opportunities are listed at
www.lssnd.org, but the
possibilities are endless!
Miscellaneous: With the assistance of Faith Lutheran
Church’s volunteerism, prayers and financial support, LSS/ND was
able to serve 67,013 people across North Dakota this past year.
Thank you for partnering with us and helping us serve 1 in 10
North Dakotans each year. Your continued prayers and support
are very much appreciated!
Fargo Union Mission, Inc. /
d.b.a New Life Center
Dan Danielson, 701-235-4453
Volunteers Needs: First Lutheran currently is involved in
our Women’s Auxiliary; Annual Prayer Breakfast; Christmas
projects & Thrift Store. We are currently involved with the
young people’s Servanthood projects i.e. preparing and serving
meals; shelter projects; support projects for personal needs and
shelter needs.
Miscellaneous: Please pray for our staff. In operating a
24 hour mission, the needs represented are many and the staff is
confronted with problems at all hours. Pray that the mission
would offer help with the eternal needs of the people rather
than just the temporal. Consider hosting a Bible study for those
who need a church home after they exit the shelter.
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