I want to take a moment to discuss what your First Lutheran Foundation accomplished this year. Each year the Foundation Committee awards 5% of its holdings to worthy recipients in four categories. These are ELCA Ministries, Community organizations, Capital improvements and the Mabel Anderson Scholarships.

This year the Laptivity Quilt Program, Emergency Food Basket, Disability Action Network, Holmen Area Community Center, the Exchange, Coulee Region RSVP, and La Crosse Confluence received the community grants. Several First Lutheran organizations including the Knitters, First Helping Hands, Quilters, F.L.Y., Caring Cards and Preschool received the ELCA ministries grants.

Here are a few examples of the impact of these grants:

• The Laptivity Quilt project is an outreach of Causeway Caregivers. They provide handcrafted dementia activity lap quilts to persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to the program, “These quilts help individuals by providing activities to occupy hands and bright cheerful fabrics that foster smiles.”

• Coulee Region RSVP, used its grant for handcraft supplies for “our Hand crafters to create items for the community members who need them.”

• The Holmen Area Community Center used the funds that it received to “launch innovative new programming, increase educational opportunities and extend hours.”

• First Lutheran Caring Cards seeks to keep in touch with members who are unable to attend services on a regular basis by them sending cards at Easter, Christmas and other times of the year.

• First Lutheran Helping Hands provides gas cards to individuals who need assistance in getting to work or medical appointments.

These are just a few of many examples of the grants provided by your foundation in 2024.

If you have questions about the foundation or how you can contribute, please contact the First Lutheran Church office by emailing office@firstlu.org or calling 608-783-2236. The Stewardship and Foundation Committees will be happy to help you.