On your mark, get set....GO!

And...get posters out into the community!!  We are currently asking for volunteers to put posters out for our 23rd Annual 5k Walk/Run being held on September 20th. If you ever wanted to volunteer for LCS but was not sure what you could do, this is an easy and important opportunity that can make a difference and the time is now! If you already volunteer for LCS, we need your help right now!

Here is what the poster looks like. You can also take an electronic copy of this poster from this blog (Just click on photo, then right click, copy, save to directory of your choosing on your computer.) Promote the walk/run on your twitter account, Facebook, Instagram..wherever you use social media on the web and do so liberally!  If you would like a printable version of  our poster, just contact me at cframpton@lcsde.org.

We also have these posters at our office and need them taken out into the community and put into local churches, schools, store fronts, anywhere there is foot traffic. We cannot do this one alone and the more people who participate, the wider our scope of distribution.

We would also like to announce that on-line registration is now live. On-line registration is easy and fun and will increase your fund raising capacity. So hop on line and get registered today, its easy and you will love how much easier it is to do. If you need assistance contact Heather at hteig@lcsde.org after July 7.

WALK RUN REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE!

Greater Power

Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come.  Come into our world bringing light and life.  Come into our world bringing hope and peace.  Come into our hearts with joy and compassion.  Bless our tables as we gather together, that we may be filled with your loving spirit.  Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come.  Amen.

Pastor Kathy Ierien

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd [12/13]

Missing a Friend...

This year when we began gathering the walk/run committee to start planning for this years event, a face was missing. A very important face...Joseph Lange. His wife Linda was and she had the sad task of informing us that Joe was not feeling so good and probably would not be working on the walk/run this year. We all said our prayers for Joe and hoped for the best. 

He was hard shoes to fill with everything he did for that event. He would show up around 6am in the morning with a large truck filled with tables and chair, signage, hammers and I am pretty sure duct tape. (It fixes everything you know!) He made sure everything was set up, signs were hung up, including on the tower in Rockford park, so that the next wave of volunteers coming in could set up their stations. Without him, we couldn't get started. Years before he did a lot of hands on work with the money and registration. Linda, his wife, would pick up much of the food and bring it in and help set that up. The Langes have just been such an important part of that event.  Until the unthinkable.

On November 3rd we lost Joseph to his illness. It was a bit of a shock, and it will take some time for our group to recover from such a loss. I often wonder how people can think that volunteers are not that valuable, or so easily replaceable. They obviously have never worked at LCS. Or worked with volunteers at all or anywhere who has them for that matter. It is at such times as these that we sit and reflect on how blessed we are and have been as an organization to have such wonderful volunteers such as Joseph and Linda Lange. So thank you, thank you so much for all both of you gave to us for so many years!

Below is Joseph's obituary and I followed it up with Greater Power, November's monthly prayer we will be handing out.


Joseph B. Lange

AGE: 68 • Wilmington

Joseph B. Lange, age 68, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on November 3, 2013 at home surrounded by his family.

Joe was born and raised in Wilmington, to the late Joseph and Winona Lange. He was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Joe served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Seabees and was a certified diver with MCB-7. He owned and operated Lange Construction, Inc. for 31 years. Joe was a Scout Leader for Troop 62. He was a Master Mason and belonged to Brandywine Lodge, #33 A.F. & A.M., where he served as president of the Hall Company. Joe was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He volunteered at Sojourner's Place and Lutheran Community Service in Wilmington. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also loved to travel, enjoyed hunting, woodworking and doing projects with his sons.

Joe is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda L. Lange, his children, Michael Lange (Pamela) Stephen Lange (Jennifer) Sharon Gaskill (Jason), his sister Jeannette August (Ronald), his grandchildren, Ashley MacLeish, Skyler Elizabeth Lange and Jaxon Gaskill.


Greater Power 

Every month we have a pastor/reverend from a different church write us a new and inspirational prayer to offer the recipients of our food services.  We place a copy of this prayer into each of the grocery bags we hand out. We feel that most who come to us are having a pretty rough time and could use some comforting words to help them through...every little bit helps. 

Here is November's...

Merciful Jesus,

For your death on the cross which forgives my sins, for your resurrection into a glorified body which promises I too will be made perfect on the Day of the Lord, and for your promise that you will make all things new on that day, I THANK YOU! In the meantime, keep me faithful amidst the trials and struggles of life, and help me to be thankful for the love of other people. 
Amen.

Pastor David Kummer
Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church
11/13

Joseph B. Lange

AGE: 68 • Wilmington

Age 68, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on November 3, 2013 at home surrounded by his family.

Joe was born and raised in Wilmington, to the late Joseph and Winona Lange. He was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. Joe served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Seabees and was a certified diver with MCB-7. He owned and operated Lange Construction, Inc. for 31 years. Joe was a Scout Leader for Troop 62. He was a Master Mason and belonged to Brandywine Lodge, #33 A.F. & A.M., where he served as president of the Hall Company. Joe was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He volunteered at Sojourner's Place and Lutheran Community Service in Wilmington. Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He also loved to travel, enjoyed hunting, woodworking and doing projects with his sons.
Joe is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda L. Lange, his children, Michael Lange (Pamela) Stephen Lange (Jennifer) Sharon Gaskill (Jason), his sister Jeannette August (Ronald), his grandchildren, Ashley MacLeish, Skyler Elizabeth Lange and Jaxon Gaskill.

2013 Governor's Outstanding Volunteeer Awards LCS Nominee - Richard Porto

This year LCS nominated Richard Porto of Wilmington as our Outstanding Volunteer for the 2013 Governor's Awards.  We had one of our own, Don Schaeffer win one of the coveted spots last year, and so chances of having a repeat two years in a row were tight.  I was contacted by the folks at the Governor's Awards and told it was a very tough decision making process, and that they had lots of entries and unfortunately Richard did not make it. Regardless they loved his story, and assured me that is just as hard for them to pick winners as it is for us to choose a nominee. But we wanted to put Richards story out there because we love Richard, like we love all of our volunteers.

Richard striking a pose at the 22nd Annual Walk/Run on Sept. 21st.

When choosing a volunteer as a nominee for the Governor's Awards, you are not trying to pick a "favorite" volunteer or the "best" volunteer, because we have so many of those. We are trying to pick someone to represent all of us. As I said last year to Don, you are there to "Take one for the team!" We are trying to select a representative for LCS and again, even that is no easy task. It's hard to pick someone, as you never like to be accused of playing favorites. But if we want to get some attention on the state level, someone... we must choose.


Richard Porto came to us after he received aid in the form of a down payment on an apartment after a foreclosure on his house and food for him and his wife. This aide helped them to get back on their feet and he said he wanted to give back to the agency that helped  him out so much.  I asked him to describe how he feels when he volunteers here at LCS and he said "I love the people, the job, the camaraderie - and that it's hard to put into words - It's that warm fuzzy glow you get when working here." 

Richard packing bags at the St. Stephen's pantry.

Richard has been a volunteer that likes variety! Out of the various food distribution locations we have which include stationary pantries, mobile pantries, clothing distribution, and produce distribution; there is always this familiar face at many of the locations. Richard has been working at our St. Stephen's Pantry, Zion Lutheran Church Pantry, Hope Lutheran Church Mobile Pantry, Shiloh Baptist Church Mobile Pantry, Clothing  Distribution and so much more!

Richard helps to unload trucks, pack bags, stock shelves...basically anything and everything we need. He fills in for me when I need folks at various sites while others are on vacation. Basically, Richard is someone we can call on at anytime and know we will get his help. Volunteers like this are a rare breed and we are ever so grateful to have someone like Richard with us.

Richard doing what he does best, working and smiling!

Richard began working with us in 2005 and since then he has put in over 4,000 hours of volunteer work, averaging about 400 hours a year. Richard is very committed to the work he does here and more important he BELIEVES in it and that what he is doing is truly making a difference in the world.

One of Richards hallmarks is that he always ends every conversation in person or on the phone by reminding you to have a "Very Blessed Day."

We want Richard to know how Blessed we are to have him here with us at LCS, that he is our winner, and that we hope he continues to be with us for years to come.

Thank you Richard for all that you do, and.... Have a Very Blessed Day!

News You Can Use -Special Edition Walk/Run 2013

From Lutheran Community Services                  November 2013

Editors: This information is prepared for church newsletter editors, secretaries and pastors. Your help in getting the word out is appreciated and will help LCS achieve its mission of “Sharing God’s blessings by helping others in need.” Comments about timing or content are welcome. Contact & Prepared by Steve Tindall (stindall@lcsde.org). 302 654 8886.

Walk Run Results

We had a fantastic annual Hunger Walk Run on September 21 in Rockford Park. Altogether, this year’s Hunger Walk Run raised $46,172 – a little short of our $50,000 goal, but definitely an outstanding showing that ranks right up there with our best years. This excellent result is due to a great deal of enthusiasm from the participants, the staff at LCS and the Walk Run Committee. If you are interested in working on next year’s Hunger Walk Run, contact Steve Tindall at 654 8886 x105 or stindall@lcsde.org.

Here are the winners.  The church that raised the most was Grace Lutheran ($11,565 – a new record for a church), followed by St. Marks ($10,212 – more than double its previous best), and Faith ($2,620).  The church with the most participants was St. Marks (64), followed by Grace (31), and St. Philips (29).  The church with the highest percentage of its congregation participating was St. Marks (13.02%), followed by Zion (9.62%) and St. Philips (9.21%).

Individual fundraisers broke records! The Adult winner was Jan Hufnal from Grace who raised $4,500, a record for an adult. Then Daniel Luettgen, a youth from Grace, raised $2,263, a record for a youth! This year’s success is attributed to several things. First, the enthusiasm of the fundraisers – the people who went out and got sponsorships for their participation. Second, we believe that much of the success stems from the ease of online registration and fundraising. Lots of people used it this year and from all reports they enjoyed its simplicity and accuracy.

Thrivent was once again the lead sponsor, committing $6400 to the total raised, which was a wonderful donation. They also offered to match each item brought to the LCS Food Drive at the Walk Run, which totaled an additional $350. Thank you Thrivent Financial.

All of the funds raised by the Hunger Walk Run will go toward LCS’s Emergency Food Programs. We assemble our food budget from many different sources. What we raise from the Walk Run is the single largest source of funds for the food programs. Without it, we would have a great deal of trouble meeting the strong demand for emergency food help from people in need in our community.
 _____________________________________________________________________________

 From the Desk of Cher Frampton - Volunteer Coordinator LCS

We can never emphasize enough the importance of our volunteers and how much they mean to our organization. In fact, we would not have an organization without them. They are our most valuable asset, and without them we could not operate any of our many operations at all of the various locations that graciously host us.

We also need our contributors and sponsors, for we also need substance (money & goods) to purchase the food that we give out to our clients every day. Without them, we also would not exist. Which is what makes an event like the LCS Walk/Run so special.

It's one of the few times where we have volunteers, contributors, clients, sponsors, staff, churches...everyone, joining together and making one event run smoothly, ensuring everyone is having a good time and that everything is taken care of. It shows what kind of a community we are and what kind of moral character we are all made of. How proud we all should be!

We would like to thank the following who participated that day in helping to set up and run the event and clean up. IF I MISSED A NAME, please let me know! These kind of events have a way of getting helpers in through all kinds of means official and otherwise. So, please, let me know so I can add you to the list! :)

 

 Our

Volunteers: 

Olive Barton

Jeff  Batt
Brenda Bayard
Mark Cilento
Courtney Colier-Beyer
Joe Duker
Larry Friday
Mike Goyda

                                                    Nancy Goyda

                      

Mark Gunderson
Donna Harris
George Hood
Mark Hopkins
Karrah Johnston
Josh Kelly
Leonard Kojro
Chuck Landry
Linda Lange
Bill Lindsey
Richard Porto

 

 

 

Jon Roth

Kyle Schuldt

Tamara Siburg

Roy Sullivan

Harry Walker

Conrad Warren 

Sam Weedor

Gene Yanek

Gene Zaiser
Nancy Zinnato

 

We would also like to thank our Major Sponsors:

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans       WSFS Bank       NEIL       Shone Lumber      PNC Bank

Also our other supporters and contributors:

Brew Ha Ha    Cafee Gelato    Cann Printing    Catherine Rooney's    Delaware Children's Museum
Giant Foods    Grand Opera House    Greek Delight Restaurant    InstaSigns Plus  Lange Construction
Mercantile Press    Merrily Schiavone    Pump & Corrosion     Sir Speedy Union Street    Threatre N
Two Stones Pub    Vital Signs & Graphics    Walgreens Naaman's Road     Winterthur

Without help from across the community from everyone we could not do all that we do, and reach the many families in Delaware that struggle with hunger every day. Our theme this year is "Together We Can" and our Walk/Run is a shinning example of how we do just that.

Photographs by Bill Lindsey and Jeff Batt

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