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At Home, In Church, Abroad - Meet other Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members taking action and having fun.
 WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO—Last July, nearly 20 members of the Skov family, many of them members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, gathered at Lutheran Valley Ranch in Woodland Park, Colorado, for a family reunion. But their three-day gathering included more than just fun and relaxation. The Skovs devised the perfect group project: build a new bell tower near the ranch where they have gathered for reunions since the 1970s.
The large bell at Lutheran Valley Retreat, whose youth ministry programs are supported by Lutheran Valley Ranch, had been out of use and in need of a new home. The Skov family, which included the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the late Rev. Bunde and Clara Skov, decided to build one. The 20 volunteers donated more than 200 hours to construct the tower and raise the bell. The Pike’s Peak Chapter of Thrivent Financial added $1,000 to almost entirely offset the cost of materials.
The tower, which is located next to the main building at the retreat, rings to summon campers for meals, campfires and Bible study. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of service. “This project was a reflection of our parents and our family, which is mission-oriented and service-minded,” says the Rev. Clare Skov of Faith Lutheran Church in Johnstown, Colorado. “Things need to be done, and you do them.” —HOLLY O’DELL
 Riding for Ronald
Casper, Wyoming—Completing the Furnace Creek 508-mile bicycling race through California’s Mojave Desert and Death Valley had been a dream for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representative Bob Thunselle and his cycling buddy, Keith Frick, both of Casper, Wyoming. Last fall, they turned their dream into a fund-raiser for a Ronald McDonald House under construction in Denver. The duo logged more than 10,000 miles training on their bicycles before completing the race in 48 hours. They have raised $71,000 to this point for the house, including $5,000 from Thrivent Financial, and continue their fund-raising efforts to their goal of $100,000. Several Thrivent chapters in Wyoming participated by sponsoring events and providing food and funds. |
 For Mental Health
La Plata, Maryland—The Charles and Calvert/St. Mary’s county Thrivent chapters in Maryland once again teamed up with Grace Lutheran Church and School and the Crossing at Casey Jones, both in La Plata, Maryland, to raise $25,000 for the Center for Children in La Plata. Funds were raised at a dinner theater featuring “La Problem in La Plata,” plus an autumn tea and silent auction. In the event’s four years, nearly $90,000 has been raised for the center and three other nonprofits that offer a variety of mental health and special needs services to children and their families in Southern Maryland.
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 Destination: Iraq
Miami, Florida—“Operation Thank You” started as a Join Hands Day initiative and a way for the Miami-Dade County Thrivent Chapter in Florida to say “thanks” to U.S. troops serving in Iraq. In the spring of 2007, the chapter gathered food, toiletries and other items, added letters of appreciation and mailed more than 180 care packages to soldiers. Then, as Christmas approached, a chaplain serving in Iraq told the chapter that school supplies, clothing, toys and treats were needed for children in more than 30 schools near where the chaplain serves. Another shipment was sent, to the delight of the soldiers and children. The chapter continues to collect items, adding jackets and blankets for the children. |
 Gala Success
Walled Lake, Michigan—It had been many years since St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School in Walled Lake, Michigan, had held a fund-raiser. So when Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representative Kim Talley, along with Thrivent Financial members Kae Trojanowski and Jeff Beck and the West Oakland County Thrivent Chapter, pulled together the first Homecoming Gala and Auction last October, it was a huge success. More than 225 people attended the event, and more than $20,000 was raised for eight ministry programs at St. Matthew.
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 Whole Lotta Sole
Altoona, Pennsylvania—Imagine 1,546 pairs of shoes piled up, needing to be boxed. That was the case in Altoona, Pennsylvania, when several Thrivent chapters participated in a Soles4Souls project in their region. It was one activity planned for “Lutheran Day at Lakemont Park” and was done in conjunction with the Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The shoes, which ranged from flip flops to sturdy boots, were packed into 69 boxes that would find their way to adults and children around the world. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans helped provide funding for sending the boxes to Alabama, where Soles4Souls has distributed more than 2.5 million pairs of shoes since January 2005. |
 Old-Fashioned BBQ
Butte, Montana—When the members of your Thrivent chapter attend seven Lutheran churches spread across more than 100 miles, it can be a challenge to get to know one another. This is what the Southwest Montana Thrivent Chapter was facing, so an old-fashioned barbecue was held to bring members together for fun, to introduce current chapter leaders and other members, and to build awareness of the chapter’s goals. Nearly 40 people attended the event, which was held at a resort near Butte, Montana.
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Reaching Out for Wright
Austin, Texas—After Thrivent Financial member Derrick Wright was injured during a mortar attack in Iraq last year, the North and South Travis County chapters of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sprung into action to help Wright and his wife, Cindy, a Thrivent Financial representative. Part of the effort aimed to raise funds to help offset remodeling expenses for work needed to accommodate Derrick’s continuing physical challenges. The chapter initiative started with Cindy’s colleagues and Thrivent Financial members throughout the Texas region, but spread to Derrick’s former classmates at West Point Military Academy. More than $40,000 was raised, including more than $11,000 from Thrivent Financial. Chapter members also helped with the remodeling work. |
Little Town, Big Heart
Brewster, Kansas—Home to about 300 people, Brewster, Kansas, may be a small town, but it has a big heart. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members from the Northwest Kansas Chapter teamed up with the Brewster Booster Club to host a biscuit-and-gravy benefit breakfast to raise funds for a Brewster High School freshman who underwent surgery for a brain tumor. The event, which also included a bake sale sponsored by school faculty and staff, raised nearly $4,000 to help the student’s family with medical expenses. |
Your Turn
Share a member event of your own with us. Send a brief description and a photo, if you have one, using the form www.thrivent.com/magazine/stories. We won’t have room to publish all of them in the magazine, but some will be shared online at www.thrivent.com/magazine/together.
Connections
What are chapters? Chapters are local groups of members that plan and carry out charitable, social and educational activities. All Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members belong to a chapter.
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