News from Metro Lutheran Ministry
ne...@mlmkc.org
Save the Date! Power of Each One Event Nov 4
Christmas Store Planning Underway
Day of Caring Sees Major Efforts
Name & Look Updated for MLM
Power of Each One Event Nov. 4
A celebration of MLM's 35 Years of Making Lives Matter and a fun
fund-raising event is being planned for Nov. 4, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at
Drexel Hall, 3301 Baltimore, Kansas City.
Featuring a buffet dinner and entertainment, the evening's highlight
will include the program by Sue Vicory and her film, "Homelessness
and the Power of One." A former MLM board member, Sue will be the
event's keynote speaker. Entertainment will be provided by
Bloodstone, the R&B band who created the soundtrack for her
documentary.
Tickets for the fund-raising dinner are $75 per person, $50 for those
over the age of 65. Attire for the event is dressy. A welcome reception
will begin the event.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For further information,
contact Board President Lisa Peck, lmnj...@kc.rr.com; or Executive
Director Jim Glynn, jimg...@mlmkc.org.
Christmas Store Planning Under Way
One of MLM's most visible efforts of the Christmas season is already
under way.
MLM is now accepting donations at the Holmes office for the 2006
Christmas Store.
The sites for the 2006 Christmas Store will be at Avenue of Life at 721
N. 31st St. in Kansas City, KS, and True Light Nazarene Church at 31st
and Charlotte in Kansas City, Mo.
The dates for the 2006 Christmas Store will be December 6th through the
9th.
There will be a workday on Sept. 9 at Avenue of Life.
Nearly 2,000 low-income families were helped by the stores in 2005.
Begun more than 30 years ago, the program provides gifts and daily
living supplies for both children and adults.
Day of Caring Sees Major Efforts
Bernice Alexander hasn't had a run of good luck for some time, but on
June 24 she received a decisive blessing in the form of a new access
ramp to replace her front steps.
Thanks to MLM, the United Way Day of Caring and especially volunteer
Leroy Hawkins, the 80-year-old Bernice can now come and go on both fun
and serious trips.
"I need to get to the doctor," the petite resident noted.
Bernice has been a near-prisoner in her home. First diagnosed with
severe osteoporosis in 1973, she needs a walker to move about, a
situation the previously independent woman obviously finds frustrating.
"I worked in a garment factory until it closed in 1969," she said.
"I worked 35 years at the Muehlebach Hotel. My father taught us to
work."
Bernice's retirement has not been exactly peaceful. Besides her
sickness, she lost her only son who died at 54 from an enlarged heart.
She still expresses pride in his accomplishments.
"He worked at the Bendix Plant," she noted. "He always worked."
One constant Bernice appears to have maintained is a stunning smile,
something she displayed when asked about the new ramp that Leroy
completed with obvious expertise. "Yes, that's going to be
wonderful," she said. "I'll be able to come and go!"
A number of activities were coordinated by MLM for the United Way Day
of Caring. Leroy Hawkins built an access ramp for Bernice Alexander.
Professional Painter Montell Justice led other volunteers working on
the exterior of MLM's Holmes Street location. Justice, owner of Just
Painters and More, coordinated the project with Board member LeRoy
Zimmerman and arranged for Sherwin Williams on Wornall Road to donate
the paint. More than a dozen youthful volunteers and adult leaders
(bottom left) came from Trinity Lutheran Church in Omaha to work with
MLM and help clean debris from a Kansas City yard.
Name & Look Updated for MLM
In case you haven't noticed, MLM has updated its name and appearance!
MLM has unofficially shorted its name to Metro Lutheran Ministry,
recognizing a shortened version of "metropolitan" that makes the
name a little easier to say. The new, more modern name also reflects
MLM's ongoing efforts to reenergize its efforts assisting the
area's needy, especially its collaboration with area Lutheran and
other congregations.
The new name was commemorated with a new logo design by Mac Fechtling
of MacAttak Design, who donated his professional time to develop the
new graphic. Mac was previously the design director for Health Midwest.
Today, he lives and works in Overland Park where he provides a wide
range of graphic services to companies and individuals.