To encourage a giving spirit, and to emphasis how thankful we all should be for everything that we have, Good Shepherd encourages outreach and service in even our younger members. We are all proud to say that our youth have embraced this spirit and always find creative and thoughtful ways to help those around them. See items below to learn more.
Our high school aged Fellowship of Lutheran Youth (FLY) group fasted for 30 hours and raised over $5500 in an effort to increase awareness about those who suffer and die from hunger. These funds were matched 7 times over by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to raise a total of more than $38,000 to help support World Vision's battle against hunger.
Our youth raised money to support Stand for Africa by collecting pocket change from our FLY, Prep and SOS kids. They also raised money during our Souper Bowl of Caring campaign and donated it to World Vision and their battle against hunger.
The 8th grade confirmation class of 2004 made 30 prayer pillows and took them down to the Manchester Police Department for them to be handed out to children in crisis situations.
Lava Lava Islanders collected 40 overstuffed bags of food to donate to two local food pantries: Circle of Concern and Faith Place. These youngsters, ranging from age 4-12 also colored bible story pictures to be sent to children in Spanish speaking countries.
The college team organized and mailed 80 packages to students away at college to remind them that they weren't alone over the holiday season.
Faith Place was assisted by 10 youth and adult volunteers from GSLC with their summer mission in the Fox Park neighborhood. Faith Place provided Circus Fun to children in this neighborhood for a period of one week during the summer of 2004. GSLC members assisted with carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, singing, reading stories, arts and crafts to make the summer fun for kids in this area.
Youth and adult volunteers from GSLC assisted Habitat for Humanity in the renovation of houses in the Jeff Vander Lou Neighborhood of St. Louis City.
From July 9-16 of 2004, youth and adult volunteers went to the Andes Mountain of Equador to help Quecha Indians in the construction and maintenance of their buildings. The group's work was spiritual as well as physical.
42 youth and adult volunteers went to Seminole, OK, in June 2004 to assist those in need of basic home repair and maintenance.
Even our youngest members know the importance of helping those in need. Our children of Building Blocks, a ministry of GSLC, raised money and created 10 health kits to be sent to victims of the Tsunami in January 2005. They also held a toy drive in December of 2004 to help our littlest members realize the importance of giving. Children ages 6 months to 5 years were encouraged to open up their hearts to children in need and help them have a better holiday season.
