Thanks to you and your generosity, the Toledo office improvement project is getting closer to a reality! The good news is - we have received individual gifts and grants in the amount of $120,680 in cash, pledges and gift matches from February 2007 - February of 2008! 

We need $165,000 to begin construction and, therefore, do not have enough to get started this spring. In the months ahead in 2008 we anticipate greater needs for emergency food, mental health and recovery services. If we can begin this spring we can have all the repairs close to completion by fall 2008. We will have completed the critical repair and renovations needed to make our building safe and accessible to the disabled. These renovations will enable the installation of an elevator, allowing access to a lower level that we currently do not use (future programming and food pantry storage).

A special after church event is scheduled for April 27th from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Toledo office to welcome guests who would like to join in a guided tour and to be updated on the services currently offered by LSS of NW Ohio. You and your friends will have the opportunity to observe the current conditions of the LSS emergency food pantry and meet some of our highly dedicated staff members who would love to welcome you and share the story of how God has blessed the individuals and families who have been served by you through LSS.

You can help the individuals and families who arrive at our door every day for assistance!

Additionally, there is the need to upgrade our technology that the Board of Directors and Properties Committee of LSS have the vision to build into the Toledo office repair project that will help us move confidently into the future.  Our goal is to raise a total of $135,000 for a total of $300,000 by the end of December 2008. We hope to have all the funds in hand to proceed without going into debt.

How might you give?

Cash, stocks, other assets are all excellent possibilities.

Your gift will be matched!

The LSS Foundation will match your gift! For every $3 from you, the Foundation will match $1 (up to a total match of $1000 per donor). In addition, if you are a member of Thrivent Financial, you may use GivingPlus to increase your gift. Feel free to call for details on helping us secure the match.

Interested in any of these options? Please contact:

Pr. Mark Hill
VP of Development
mhill@lssnwo.org

or

Fred Heintz
Exec. Director, LSS Foundation
fheintz@lssnwo.org                

 

How Can You Support The Ministries of Lutheran Social Services?

There are many ways to help support Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio during this season of giving and throughout the year. Below are some examples:

A general donation can help numerous programs offered by LSSNWO. Please consider sending a tax-deductible gift, by check to the administrative office at:

Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio
2149 Collingwood Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43620.

We welcome your gift in honor or memory of a birthday, anniversary or any donation to the general work of the agency.

GivingPlus – Here are the easy steps to more fully realize the PLUS advantage in 2007. You can send a gift of up to $600 now or throughout the year on a monthly or quarterly basis with no minimum gift required. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will contribute $1 for every $2 donated for LSSNWO and if you are a volunteer of 25 or more hours of service to the agency, Thrivent will contribute an additional $25.

Next step. If you are not a Thrivent member, a Thrivent member family you can become an Associate member for a small fee of $10 (per family), good for one year, and all family members 16 years or older can contribute to the GivingPlus® Program. New forms are now available online

Notice that the form has changed and Thrivent ID numbers are no longer required and only the last four digits of the social security number are requested to process the gift and match from Thrivent.

Forms are also available at any of the LSS offices and will be included with future mailings for your convenience.

Please consider a gift of $50, $75, $100 or more in response to God’s love for all persons and as we seek to partner together to enhance the mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being of those who are in need of A Rock in Uncertain Times.

On-Line Giving also is available for those of us who are not interested in trudging through the rain or snow to the mailbox but would rather send our gift at the end of the year electronically. Click the “Give To LSS” button on the left hand side of this page. Simply click on the button and follow the easy to follow instructions to make your donation and you will receive confirmation from the LSSNWO Administrative office with gratitude and appreciation for your support.

But wait there is more! Simply Giving is another no-fee program of automatic transfer of funds from an account that you designate through a simple registration process that can also support LSSNWO. You already take advantage of the convenience and simplicity of electronic transfer of funds to make utility payments. Now you can use the same convenient, reliable method of giving to strengthen the ministry of LSSNWO. Call the Toledo office at (419) 243-9178 for more information and ask for Pastor Mark Hill if you have any questions.

A Wish List of in-kind gifts also is listed the web site.

Volunteer Opportunites

Are you interested in volunteering for Lutheran Social Service of Northwestern Ohio? Here is a list of opportunities to give of your time to those in your community:

• Board of Director or Advisory Councils, serving on a volunteer board or advisory council

• Building Maintenance (carpentry, painting, cleaning, electrical, etc.) in Toledo, Findlay or Lima

• Clerical (computer, record keeping, typing, phoning) at all branches

• Mailings in Toledo administrative office

• Cooks for small luncheons (5-15 people) and/or other special events (up to 100 people) in Toledo or Lima

• Emergency Food Pantry in Findlay, Lima and Toledo

• Market Basket (shopping for shut-ins) in Defiance, Findlay, Gibsonburg, Temperance, Toledo and Sandusky

• Open Dorr Family Resource Center (Toledo) in its after school and children’s summer programs, babysitting for 3-5 year olds Parent/Child interactive program

• Crossroads Family Resource Center (receptionist, tutoring) in Toledo

• Rosa Morgan Center (receptionist, activity helper, kitchen helper and musicians) in Toledo

• Receptionist at Fremont, Findlay, Kenton, Lima, Lima Clubhouse, Perrysburg, Toledo and Wapakoneta

• Speakers’ Bureau (assist in telling the LSS story) in all regions.

Contact your local office on how to become involved today!