By Julie B. Sevig M
illions of dollars later, some 35,000 young people and
adults will arrive in New Orleans later this month. But it takes more than a bus trip or airplane ride to get to the ELCA Youth Gathering. It takes planning, work, and congregational and com- munity support—much of it financial.
In addition to the standard bake sale, youth groups con- tinue to raise the fundraising creativity bar. Some even had time to respond to The Lutheran’s request for their most unusual or successful fundraiser.
Dollar by
… drives them toward New Orleans dollar
So, kids and youth leaders, once you return from Louisiana and set your sites on Gathering 2015, here are some success stories from this year. Lutheran Church of the Nativity, Arden, N.C., ran a “Milepost Campaign.” They labeled 150 green enve- lopes to look like mileposts on a road and taped them to a banner. Since donation amounts ranged from $1 to $150, “it provided an opportunity for all of our members, no matter what their financial situation, to take part,” said Michele Grush.
The youth raised $6,000 during the three-week cam-
paign. As each envelope was removed so money could be placed in it, a photo of youth holding a “thank you” sign was revealed. Youth from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Mercer
Island, Wash., began relating to New Orleans when they helped rebuild the Lakeview neighborhood in 2008 and the Broadmoor neighborhood in 2009. They held a silent auction that featured their own signed and framed photos from previous trips. This spring they also mailed tea bags to members, along with a letter “describing our upcom- ing mission/Gathering experience and inviting the recipi- ent to relax with a cup of tea and write us a check,” Kathy Fisher said.
Upon their return, the youth will tell their stories over beignets and coffee and host a concert featuring AGAPE (see page 34) to raise money for hunger.
Speaking of beignets … Food is central to New Orleans and to fundraising. So 32 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
it’s no surprise that it raised thousands of dollars for the Gathering experience. To send 54 youth and chaperones, Zion (Man- heim), St. Paul and Brick- erville United ( Lititz) Lutheran churches in Penn- sylvania peddled barbecue chicken, subs, pancakes, ham and beans, spaghetti and soup.
Still hungry? Get in touch with St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nor- walk, Ohio. A member owns a pizza shop, which enabled the young people to make and sell 380 pizzas on Super Bowl Sunday. And at Capitol
Hill Lutheran in Des Moines the annual meeting isn’t just a meeting, it’s also a chili cook-off. For Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Livonia, Mich., the culture and cuisine of New Orleans inspired a Mardi Gras celebration featuring jambalaya, king cake and a jazz band from the local university. For Valentine’s Day, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Marietta, Ga., holds a romantic dinner every February. “Our upper room becomes an intimate restaurant,” said Sabra Black. They limit attendance to 20 couples. Par- ents cook an Italian meal; youth decorate and serve. Free child care and soft music complete the deal. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Freeport, Ill., did something similar with a spaghetti supper. Local busi- nesses and members donated so much that expenses were only $150, and they raised $1,500, including $500 in the tip jar.
At First Lutheran Church, Bothell, Wash., the Valen-
tine’s cake auction has been sending young people on mission trips since 1987. “It’s evolved into more than cakes,” Fergus Prestbye said. “Young people who trav- eled in the ’80s and ’90s are now attending as parents and supporting their children.”
Dinner creativity appears to be a congregational sport in Iowa. St. John Lutheran Church in Des Moines hosts a “Night at the Museum” at the Iowa Historical Building. And St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waverly performed an original mystery called “The Mysterious Disappearance of Harriet J. McGillicutty” over a candle-lit dinner. Youth also raise money and strengthen relationships by connecting with other groups or
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