Welcome to our final week in the reLentless Love series and Make a Difference Monday link-up! If you missed the first six weeks of reLentless Love, we shared about Access to Medical Care, Orphan Care, Single Moms, Human Trafficking, Hunger and Clean Water. Today, we're highlighting the needs of kids in our communities and ways we can all help.We can hardly believe this is our last post in this year's Lent series. We have enjoyed once again being able to highlight needs around the world, spend time in prayer for others, and partner with some great organizations. For our last week we wanted to focus on the needs of kids in our communities and our very own Julie Fisk is highlighting a nationwide organization that is dear to her heart; that has been helping communities, families, and children around the country for many years. Here's her story:
Why are you passionate about supporting kids locally and what sparked your interest?
I am passionate about seeing every child in my community thrive because they are our future. No matter what their parents have done (or have not done) children are the innocent bystanders in their environments and situations. I firmly believe that every child deserves to be given the best possible start and continued support in their young lives so that they will grow into adults who are active, engaged members of society. I also recognize the reality that some parents cannot or will not provide the kind of home environment that a child needs to grow into a healthy adult, and that is why I am on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota.
What can you tell us about this issue and what your organization does to help?
The Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota specifically targets the children that "need us most." The Club provides a safe place for children to go when they are not in school. But, more than that, the Club is staffed by loving adults who build long-term relationships and uses carefully developed programing that is both fun and prepares kids to become productive, caring, responsible citizens in all areas of their lives.
Check out their website!
One specific example of what this organization does for the children in my community still makes me teary. During the Great Recession, we discovered that parents were sitting in their cars in the parking lot until after their children ate dinner at the Club. The nutritious meals and snacks we serve at night during the school year and the snacks, lunches and dinners we serve during the summer have become an important way for families to feed their children. Last year, we served over 60,000 meals to children.How did you get involved and what would you tell someone else who may be interested in getting involved?
I have been actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota for over ten years serving on a committee and now on the Board of Directors. It is easy to get involved! Their website is The Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota. We are always looking for caring adults to volunteer in the Club to help with homework, to read books, and to play games with the kids. Additionally, we are in the midst of raising money to build a gym on the Roosevelt Club after the fire destroyed the gym we were using last summer! You can donate in a number of ways here.
Finally, I'd be happy to visit with anyone who has questions or is interested in investing in the lives of futures of children located in Central Minnesota.This week, for our final act of sacrifice for Lent, we will be giving up sweets and praying for the kids in our community. We hope you'll join us!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Make A Difference Mondays is a weekly linkup designed to encourage and inspire us to live each day on purpose—making a meaningful difference in someone’s life in even the smallest of ways. Five women regularly co-host this link-up. Read on to learn more about the vision, mission, and how to link up!
Mission: Our mission is to provide a consistent gathering place for like-minded women to build online connections, share inspiration, and provide mutual encouragement and accountability as we seek to live intentionally and make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Vision: Every Monday we invite bloggers to link up any blog posts that encourage women to live life on purpose, including testimonies or goals from your own life, small acts of kindness or service, creative tips or ideas for showing consideration to others — the possibilities are endless. Our objective is to use our God-given time and resources to his glory!
Also, just a heads-up: the Make A Difference Mondays team has created aFacebook community group to stay in touch beyond the blog posts AND we also have a new #MADMlinkup group Pinterest board: Make A Difference Mondays Pinterest Board.
Mission: Our mission is to provide a consistent gathering place for like-minded women to build online connections, share inspiration, and provide mutual encouragement and accountability as we seek to live intentionally and make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Vision: Every Monday we invite bloggers to link up any blog posts that encourage women to live life on purpose, including testimonies or goals from your own life, small acts of kindness or service, creative tips or ideas for showing consideration to others — the possibilities are endless. Our objective is to use our God-given time and resources to his glory!
Also, just a heads-up: the Make A Difference Mondays team has created aFacebook community group to stay in touch beyond the blog posts AND we also have a new #MADMlinkup group Pinterest board: Make A Difference Mondays Pinterest Board.
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