Lutheran Social Services encourages prayer, support of relief effort in Haiti

Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida shares a special relationship with the people of Haiti through its partnership as a social service ministry that is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Both church bodies have long supported the people of Haiti with fundraising efforts and mission trips to the country.  

At this time, there are various groups from both church bodies serving in Haiti. We ask that you remember them, as well as all victims and families of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. All prayers are surely needed as Haiti and world partners strive to rescue those still trapped and to provide humanitarian aid to those displaced.

Lutheran Disaster Response, a collaborative ministry of ELCA and LCMS, seeks to demonstrate Christ’s compassion for people by promoting hope, healing and wholeness for disaster survivors. We are sharing the following link with friends of Lutheran Social Services as one way to provide critical help: http://www.ldr.org/alert/index.html

Disney offers volunteers free park pass

In an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer a day of service, Disney is offering volunteers across the country an opportunity to earn a free one-day one-theme park ticket to either Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.

Lutheran Social Services is participating in this effort by Disney through its association with Hands On Jacksonville, an organization with a mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take actions that change the world through projects created by both Hands On Jacksonville and its member agencies. Lutheran Social Services has multiple volunteer opportunities listed on the Hands On Jacksonville website.

Payless Shoes helps make Christmas season brighter with new shoes for children

Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida was recently selected to participate in the 2009 Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids Program, a grass roots campaign to deliver $1.2 million in free shoes to children of families in need.

LSS received 100 gift coupons valued at $15 each for its clients. The coupons – redeemable for or toward a pair of children’s shoes at any Payless ShoeSource store – were distributed to children associated with the LSS Refugee & Immigration and AIDS Care and Education programs.

More than 2,900 nonprofit agencies applied for the program, and 700 were selected to participate.

Barbara Carr, director of the LSS Refugee & Immigration program, said the coupons come at the perfect time of year for the children served by LSS.

“The gift of a pair of shoes may not seem significant to many of us as Americans, but for the refugee children we serve it will bring a tremendous amount of joy,” Carr said. “This gift comes at the perfect time of year.”

Be a Hero Toy and Food Drive
Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 - Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009

Second Harvest North Florida is teaming up with First Coast News, the United Way and Watson Realty to ensure that needy families have enough food and toys for a good holiday season.

The Hero Central Toy and Food Drive will culminate with a community-wide event Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.

First Coast News will be at various collection sites, including the Orange Park Mall, the St. Johns Town Center and various Watson Realty locations, including those in St. Marys, Ga., and St. Augustine.

The donations will benefit the families and children served by the agencies that Second Harvest North Florida and America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia work with.

Be a Hero Toy and Food Drive Home Page

Refugee Youth Photography and Mixed Media Display
Lutheran Social Services Building

The Lutheran Social Services building will be transformed for the final two weeks of August, when mixed media, artwork and photography created by refugee youth are placed on display. The display will be unveiled to the general public on Aug. 13 with a special event and remain in place through the end of the 2009-10 school year. The art and photography were created during the Summertime Express Camp for refugee youth that is held each year by LSS. Duval County Public Schools teamed with LSS to make the resources for the gallery and the learning experience possible. LSS is located at 4615 Philips Highway in Jacksonville.

25th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 - Prime Osborn Convention Center

The Empty Bowls Luncheon demonstrates community support for those who are coping with hunger in North Florida. Local celebrities (including media personalities) act as servers for the event. In addition to helping fight hunger, the luncheon presents a diverse program for all. Area students and senior citizen groups have created original, handcrafted ceramic bowls for every guest. Luncheon attendees are able to select just the right bowl to take home.

Local potters and ceramic artists have also donated their time and talents to create unique bowls. In addition, the Empty Bowls Luncheon includes celebrity signed bowls. Recognized personalities from the national and international stage have lent their names to the cause.

The annual Empty Bowls Luncheon has come to symbolize the beginning of Thanksgiving and the holiday season. We hope you join us for a memorable afternoon and help us fill the empty bowls in our community. All proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Second Harvest North Florida has served those in need since 1979. In Jacksonville, the majority of the people served by the Food Bank are children and senior citizens. The common misconception is that hunger is experienced only by the homeless; however, this population comprises less than 10 percent of the people helped by the Food Bank.

In an effort to meet growing needs in our community, special events like Empty Bowls help to promote hunger awareness, raise much-needed funds, and show support for one of the nation’s most solvable social issues – food insecurity.

Tickets to the event are $25, with various sponsorship levels also available. For ordering information, click here.

For more information on any of our upcoming events please call Tia R. Ford, Special Events Coordinator, at 904.739.7074 or e-mail tford@lssjax.org.