It's the most challenging time in the short life of the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes.
We've lost volunteers to relocation and financial struggles.
We've lost board members to health problems and the press of other obligations. This pressure has led to some cracks in our once wonderful communication.
Lisa, the homeowner, and her girls, are still stuck in LeMars, Iowa, paying rent while keeping up on the house payments for the Terril house.
We did some marvelous work in 2009, raised money and got the word out.
2010 was a year of loss -- of board members and volunteers, of time and energy, of everything but hope and faith.
2011 we have to get it back. Alix started high school in LeMars. Mary is two now and building memories in her rented home where, essentially, the family is displaced.
So much of the heavy work is done. We've had amazing in-kind donations of materials. We even have a little money in the bank.
Can we all come together? What we need is a winter of healing and planning and a spring and summer of action so the Jensens can finally come home.
I've had some questions about whether this is just "giving away a house." It is not. First of all, Lisa Jensen already owns the home. Second of all, she will pay us back, over time, in affordable, interest-free payments, for the materials. Third, she will volunteer on a future project.
Our organization is sustainable. It's needed. What we need now is you. Can we heal together from the past year and have 2011 be a year of renewal, of joy, of a celebration when the Jensens move back in?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, June 7, 2010
Help Bring the Jensens Home!
First there was the long winter where the roads to Terril, Iowa were nearly impassable. Then there were the Spring rains that made it muddy. Our homeowner partner, Lisa is in Le Mars with her daughter. Le Mars is down the road 98.7 miles from Terril. That's where the Jensens have been living when there was no affordable temporary housing available here in the Lakes area. Alex spent eighth grade at a new school. Lisa changed her entire plan for schooling and work. Their dog passed away.
We had a board member with cancer. Another is about to become a father for the sixth time. Some have had to take additional jobs or jobs out of town to make ends meet in this economy. One of our leaders has been living with a sustained illness that has caused overarching fatigue and sapped all energy.
It's been a tough year.
Alex is going into high school in the fall. She's been so helpful, so patient, and she made the most of her year as a Le Mars Bulldog by earning the most reading points in her school, and has a giant trophy to prove it. She needs her own room in her own house to display that trophy. She needs to bring her academic and athletic abilities home to Terril-Graettinger High School and make the transition to freshman year with her friends.
Mary turned two and is identifying Tyrannosaurus dinosaurs in pictures and displays. She loves books and is running around like a whirling dervish. She needs the security of being in her own home in her own town as she grows.
Lisa is anxious to put her talent for nursing and heart for the elderly to work here at home, and many assisted living and other facilities are hiring, waiting for someone like her to monitor the medical conditions and brighten the days of our elders.
This family needs to come home. We made a huge amount of progress on the house -- a near total remodel. It just is not quite enough to bring Lisa and her daughters home.
We're committed once again to being at the site each Saturday this summer. Ed Peterson is also committed to being there other times if we have a weekday crew that wants to come out.
We're regrouping, recovering, but we must move forward. The Fuller Center for Housing makes homes decent and livable for homeowners in need. We give a hand up, not a hand-out.
We need volunteers. If you're in Okoboji on the weekends, please consider coming out for part of a Saturday to swing a hammer. Or you could bring us lunch to the site. Or you could write a check for materials and other needs.
If ever there was a family that needed to come home, it's this one.
Bring them home.
We had a board member with cancer. Another is about to become a father for the sixth time. Some have had to take additional jobs or jobs out of town to make ends meet in this economy. One of our leaders has been living with a sustained illness that has caused overarching fatigue and sapped all energy.
It's been a tough year.
Alex is going into high school in the fall. She's been so helpful, so patient, and she made the most of her year as a Le Mars Bulldog by earning the most reading points in her school, and has a giant trophy to prove it. She needs her own room in her own house to display that trophy. She needs to bring her academic and athletic abilities home to Terril-Graettinger High School and make the transition to freshman year with her friends.
Mary turned two and is identifying Tyrannosaurus dinosaurs in pictures and displays. She loves books and is running around like a whirling dervish. She needs the security of being in her own home in her own town as she grows.
Lisa is anxious to put her talent for nursing and heart for the elderly to work here at home, and many assisted living and other facilities are hiring, waiting for someone like her to monitor the medical conditions and brighten the days of our elders.
This family needs to come home. We made a huge amount of progress on the house -- a near total remodel. It just is not quite enough to bring Lisa and her daughters home.
We're committed once again to being at the site each Saturday this summer. Ed Peterson is also committed to being there other times if we have a weekday crew that wants to come out.
We're regrouping, recovering, but we must move forward. The Fuller Center for Housing makes homes decent and livable for homeowners in need. We give a hand up, not a hand-out.
We need volunteers. If you're in Okoboji on the weekends, please consider coming out for part of a Saturday to swing a hammer. Or you could bring us lunch to the site. Or you could write a check for materials and other needs.
If ever there was a family that needed to come home, it's this one.
Bring them home.
Friday, February 26, 2010
New Challenges; New Hope
It snowed and it snowed and it snowed.
Word from the tropics was tragic news when the earthquake hit Haiti January 12. As a housing ministry, the Fuller Center's global organization is getting ready to bring sturdy, affordable houses to Haitians who may never have had that before, and certainly need it now more than ever.
You can read more about efforts in Haiti here:
http://www.fullercenter.org/haiti
We hoped to send our executive director, Ed, and more team members to Haiti in March, but severe snowstorms have halted our efforts in our big project house in Terril, and for now, we need to dig out and get going again out there when it's passable and not too muddy.
The good news is, it's mostly inside work from here on out. And as the walls and floors come together on the inside, and the addition takes shape, the Jensen family will have a home to weather all the storms that may come in the future, and all the sunny days ahead, too.
Older daughter Alex will be in high school in the fall. Mary is starting to talk, her impish smile warming worried hearts surrounding her.
Lisa, the mom, looks forward to getting back to her community and to working with the elderly in assisted living and long term care homes. That's where her heart is, and she's great at it. Their series of temporary houses have worn on them, and we plan to work through the upcoming spring to get them into their house and enjoying their back porch by summer.
Can you help? Read about our beginnings and donate through the Fuller Center global organization here:
http://www.fullercenter.org/iowalakes
Contact Ed at 712-441-5437, email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com, or write us at P.O. Box 27, Fostoria, IA 51340.
Watch this video to learn more about the Fuller Center for Housing:
Word from the tropics was tragic news when the earthquake hit Haiti January 12. As a housing ministry, the Fuller Center's global organization is getting ready to bring sturdy, affordable houses to Haitians who may never have had that before, and certainly need it now more than ever.
You can read more about efforts in Haiti here:
http://www.fullercenter.org/haiti
We hoped to send our executive director, Ed, and more team members to Haiti in March, but severe snowstorms have halted our efforts in our big project house in Terril, and for now, we need to dig out and get going again out there when it's passable and not too muddy.
The good news is, it's mostly inside work from here on out. And as the walls and floors come together on the inside, and the addition takes shape, the Jensen family will have a home to weather all the storms that may come in the future, and all the sunny days ahead, too.
Older daughter Alex will be in high school in the fall. Mary is starting to talk, her impish smile warming worried hearts surrounding her.
Lisa, the mom, looks forward to getting back to her community and to working with the elderly in assisted living and long term care homes. That's where her heart is, and she's great at it. Their series of temporary houses have worn on them, and we plan to work through the upcoming spring to get them into their house and enjoying their back porch by summer.
Can you help? Read about our beginnings and donate through the Fuller Center global organization here:
http://www.fullercenter.org/iowalakes
Contact Ed at 712-441-5437, email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com, or write us at P.O. Box 27, Fostoria, IA 51340.
Watch this video to learn more about the Fuller Center for Housing:
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 17! It's a Party! Be there!
Here's the deal: we received a generous grant from Lakes Area Land Trust to do the kitchen at our project house in Terril! Yay! Rock on! The challenge: if we don't complete the project by November 30, the money goes away. You wouldn't think that would be such a big deal, but we work one day a week, Saturday, and sometimes it is just the homeowner, Ed and me at the project site.
We need to get it together.
I thought my volunteer recruitment efforts were fruitless until today when I received not one, but two amazing emails!
1) The Spencer Women of Today are coming out to volunteer for us.
2) A new volunteer has come up with a fantastic promotion idea -- Tag, You're It -- to recruit more volunteer teams.
Tag, You're It is still in developmental stages, but basically we will promote it through the media and different industries around town, starting with Rhonda as a health care professional, will recruit teams from their employer or industry. Health care might tag auto sales, auto sales might tag restaurants, restaurants might tag...cough...law firms...until we have a whole community coming to their neighbor's aid.
That's what the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes is all about. Volunteer labor, donated or at-cost supplies, more livable housing and better neighborhoods throughout the Iowa Lakes.
Are you ready to be tagged? You're it.
Step up -- show us what we're looking for!
We need to get it together.
I thought my volunteer recruitment efforts were fruitless until today when I received not one, but two amazing emails!
1) The Spencer Women of Today are coming out to volunteer for us.
2) A new volunteer has come up with a fantastic promotion idea -- Tag, You're It -- to recruit more volunteer teams.
Tag, You're It is still in developmental stages, but basically we will promote it through the media and different industries around town, starting with Rhonda as a health care professional, will recruit teams from their employer or industry. Health care might tag auto sales, auto sales might tag restaurants, restaurants might tag...cough...law firms...until we have a whole community coming to their neighbor's aid.
That's what the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes is all about. Volunteer labor, donated or at-cost supplies, more livable housing and better neighborhoods throughout the Iowa Lakes.
Are you ready to be tagged? You're it.
Step up -- show us what we're looking for!
Monday, September 21, 2009
A year...
I just realized it's been a year since I started this blog. We had such hope and uncertainty a year ago. We have some now, but we're believing, hoping, enduring, celebrating, and most of all...doing!
Another Grant!
FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING IOWA LAKES RECEIVES GRANT FROM LAKES COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
FOSTORIA -- The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) -- Iowa Lakes was awarded a grant from the Lakes Community Land Trust to complete the kitchen at the project house in Terril, Iowa. FCH -- Iowa Lakes is the local covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.
The grant from Lakes Community Land Trust will allow FCH to complete the necessary wiring and plumbing work for the Terril house's kitchen, as well as install cabinets, purchase appliances, and and install flooring. The work will be completed by local volunteers working side by side with Lisa Jensen, the homeowner. "The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by the same family and on the same principles as Habitat for Humanity," Ed Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes Executive Director, said. "We don't give hand outs but rather a hand up to homeowners in need of repairs and remodels to make their homes livable."
FCH is also committed to working renewably and economically -- repurposing used or leftover materials when possible. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, lighting and cabinets have all been purchased from the ReNew store, a reclaimed building materials store in Spirit Lake.
"Donating to the Fuller Center for Housing is a wise choice for anyone's charitable funds," Amy Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes board secretary said. "We always work with low overhead and make the best use out of each dollar donated. We do all we can to treat our donors well and they can be confident that their donations are going toward mission, not miscellany."
The project house in Terril, Iowa began early in 2009 as a near-total remodel. Lisa Jensen, the homeowner, is a single mother of two daughters who had no one to help her repair and renovate her house. With donations from individuals and grant funds from two local organizations, the project has made substantial progress over the summer. However, more donations and volunteer hours are needed during the Fall to bring the project to completion.
"We've been very blessed and are very grateful for the support we have received from the community," Amy Peterson said. "We have hope we will continue to grow and develop in the year ahead."
FOSTORIA -- The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) -- Iowa Lakes was awarded a grant from the Lakes Community Land Trust to complete the kitchen at the project house in Terril, Iowa. FCH -- Iowa Lakes is the local covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.
The grant from Lakes Community Land Trust will allow FCH to complete the necessary wiring and plumbing work for the Terril house's kitchen, as well as install cabinets, purchase appliances, and and install flooring. The work will be completed by local volunteers working side by side with Lisa Jensen, the homeowner. "The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by the same family and on the same principles as Habitat for Humanity," Ed Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes Executive Director, said. "We don't give hand outs but rather a hand up to homeowners in need of repairs and remodels to make their homes livable."
FCH is also committed to working renewably and economically -- repurposing used or leftover materials when possible. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, lighting and cabinets have all been purchased from the ReNew store, a reclaimed building materials store in Spirit Lake.
"Donating to the Fuller Center for Housing is a wise choice for anyone's charitable funds," Amy Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes board secretary said. "We always work with low overhead and make the best use out of each dollar donated. We do all we can to treat our donors well and they can be confident that their donations are going toward mission, not miscellany."
The project house in Terril, Iowa began early in 2009 as a near-total remodel. Lisa Jensen, the homeowner, is a single mother of two daughters who had no one to help her repair and renovate her house. With donations from individuals and grant funds from two local organizations, the project has made substantial progress over the summer. However, more donations and volunteer hours are needed during the Fall to bring the project to completion.
"We've been very blessed and are very grateful for the support we have received from the community," Amy Peterson said. "We have hope we will continue to grow and develop in the year ahead."
Monday, August 31, 2009
We have a grant! Yay!
Fuller Center Iowa Lakes -- we have had the love of the global organization, our friends and family, and God (not necessarily in that order.) Now we have the love of the greater community as well. FCH-Iowa Lakes received a grant from the Dickinson County Endowment! Praise! Thanks! Wow! Yay! Now that we're legit, isn't it time you came out to volunteer?
Life is Good!
Life is Good!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
You are cordially invited to an upscale luncheon...
This Saturday at 205 S 4th Street in Terril, Iowa (south end of town near the grain elevators) we will be having a very special luncheon around noon. Festivities start at 8 a.m. - ish with the exquisite sounds of hammers, saws, and possibly a house jack. If you've never seen a house lifted with a jack, this will be a must-see event.
By then we will have worked up an appetite, so we will have lunch brought in by noted, hip, local caterer (and Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Vice President) T.Bruns.
After lunch, we will do a few more things with tools and building materials until 4 or 5 p.m. Mode is Open House, so if you can only make it for an hour or two, please do come and be our guest. Bring a date, bring a spouse, bring a family, bring a posse. Water and soft beverages will be served throughout the day.
The entire event is to make progress on a beautiful family home for a wonderful family and a great cause -- the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes. Dress is extreme/work casual for this highly anticipated event.
All joking aside, I know the economy is tough, the outlook is rough, but in this day and age we can't depend on ourselves to get through. Interdependence, as far as I can see, is the only way we will survive these challenging times. God tells us to take care of one another.
Now more than ever, we need everyone, we need your help, and we need each other.
By then we will have worked up an appetite, so we will have lunch brought in by noted, hip, local caterer (and Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Vice President) T.Bruns.
After lunch, we will do a few more things with tools and building materials until 4 or 5 p.m. Mode is Open House, so if you can only make it for an hour or two, please do come and be our guest. Bring a date, bring a spouse, bring a family, bring a posse. Water and soft beverages will be served throughout the day.
The entire event is to make progress on a beautiful family home for a wonderful family and a great cause -- the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes. Dress is extreme/work casual for this highly anticipated event.
All joking aside, I know the economy is tough, the outlook is rough, but in this day and age we can't depend on ourselves to get through. Interdependence, as far as I can see, is the only way we will survive these challenging times. God tells us to take care of one another.
Now more than ever, we need everyone, we need your help, and we need each other.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Free Ice Water!
FREE ICE WATER! That's right. Sodas and other goodies, plus an amazing lunch awaits you in Terril on Saturday. It's going to be a hot one so we will try to start at 7 and we'll go as long as it makes sense. Free food and drink, helping a neighbor in need, is the beach and boat really more fun than that? No! Volunteer for Fuller Center Iowa Lakes.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tenacity is no substitute for turnout
Every Saturday this summer, except for Independence Day, we've been there -- the Jensens, the Petersons, project director Nick Poolman and friends, and occasionally a few others. We've wrapped the house. We've framed the two-story addition. We're replacing the siding and getting ready to finish it off. We've moved the stairs. We've finished the demolition.
Alex (the homeowner's daughter) and Caitlyn, rising eighth graders, Dylon, a rising junior and Bryan, a rising first grader, have all given up nearly every Saturday this summer to babysit Mary and any other young children who come around, fish out tools and supplies, and generally help out. Two other board members' children have given up a Saturday or two in physical labor to help someone else -- not through punishment for wrongdoing, but more or less voluntarily in the spirit of giving.
Wonderful as these kids are, we need more adults to step up. If you can't swing a hammer, we would be delighted to delegate the lunch catering to a willing helper. As it is now, we all leave to get provisions when we get hungry -- with drive time, ordering, etc., it's an hour of daytime that could be better spent on work.
Could you and your civic or church group get a tasty, at least somewhat nutritious lunch together for the workers?
As recompense we spend Sundays at the lake. Still, it's a lot to ask of kids that age. It's one thing that Ed and the other adults on our board have answered the call to serve. It's quite another to ask it of the kids.
Earl, the master plumber, is planning the pipes. Lane, the electrician, has looked at the wiring. Lisa, the homeowner, has bought some supplies and the Fuller Center for Housing has bought others at our partner store Lake Park Farm and Home.
It's coming together, but slowly. There's only so much a small group can do.
We'll be out there every Saturday until it's done no matter what.
We need you to join us: swing a hammer, bring us lunch, call and recruit more workers, get the word out at your church, write a check -- whatever you can do, please consider doing it for us.
We took a huge leap of faith, taking on a project this big when we weren't yet started. Slowly (very slowly!) but surely, it's coming together.
We're missing a piece. Is it you? See you Saturday at 405 S. 4th Street in Terril -- south end of town near the elevator.
The video today is from Carolina Liar -- "Show Me What I'm Looking For"
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Just save me from being confused
Wait, I'm wrong
I can't do better than this
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Monday, May 25, 2009
A New Door, A New Wall -- The Promise of a New Day
We worked all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We can always use more volunteers. We're off today, Memorial Day, to spend time with our families and honor all who sacrificed for us. We'll be at the project house in Terril Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
What the Fuller Center Iowa Lakes Needs Right Now
* Churches, organizations and individuals to sponsor repair projects
* Skilled construction workers and contractors to donate their services
* Volunteer labor (skilled and unskilled)
* Building material donations
Through The Greater Blessing Program, homeowners can apply to a Fuller Center covenant partner to have their homes restored to a simple, decent living condition. We help them by acting on our faith, because we know Christ loves these people and calls us to serve them. We are able to keep costs low by using volunteer labor and some donated materials, thereby passing on big savings to beneficiaries.
Once repairs are complete, The Fuller Center works with each homeowner on an individual basis, looking at their bills and budget to help them structure an affordable repayment plan. All of this is done without charging interest, without the use of a mortgage and without requiring the title to the property as collateral.
* Skilled construction workers and contractors to donate their services
* Volunteer labor (skilled and unskilled)
* Building material donations
Through The Greater Blessing Program, homeowners can apply to a Fuller Center covenant partner to have their homes restored to a simple, decent living condition. We help them by acting on our faith, because we know Christ loves these people and calls us to serve them. We are able to keep costs low by using volunteer labor and some donated materials, thereby passing on big savings to beneficiaries.
Once repairs are complete, The Fuller Center works with each homeowner on an individual basis, looking at their bills and budget to help them structure an affordable repayment plan. All of this is done without charging interest, without the use of a mortgage and without requiring the title to the property as collateral.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Great Party for a Blessed Few
A fabulous dinner was missed by hordes. Alan Morphew played beautiful music; the room was filled with life and light; the rain beat down in staccato sheets outdoors; Tom created delightful dining; it was a great party too many had to miss; we missed the mark of our ambition but I trust have set the stage for future triumphs. I'm terribly disappointed in the failure but believing and hopeful for our next efforts.
It is late. I am in immense emotional pain over this but still believing that in this mess, we're just a few of the pieces and He will put them together brick by brick, board by board, nail by nail and inch by inch.
It is late. I am in immense emotional pain over this but still believing that in this mess, we're just a few of the pieces and He will put them together brick by brick, board by board, nail by nail and inch by inch.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Work has Begun!
Work began Saturday, May 2 at the project house in Terril. Four board members and two board members' children tore out the plaster in the upstairs bedrooms to make way for a reconfiguration and sturdy new walls.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction with Live, Local Music
We had a wonderful weekend as visitors to First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji to talk about the Fuller Center for Housing. FLCWO is also the site of our dinner on Friday, May 8, 2009. Please email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com if you'd like tickets to our dinner and auction, and don't forget we'll have live, luscious, local music from Alan Morphew throughout the evening.
As of now, our auction will include at no reserve:
Two Okoboji art prints from Terril artist Anita Plucker
Bare Minerals Starter Kit from Derm Us, Spencer
"Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore and "3:16" by Max Lucado from On Eagle's Wings
Season passes to Arnold's Park
Gift Certificate to Hen House in Spencer
Framed Art Print from Steffen Furniture in Spencer
Caps from Southern Archery
Gift certificate to Royal Tan
Barn Quilt from Bob Stall
Cap, tee shirt and Millard Fuller memorial celebration nail apron (no longer available anywhere else) from the Fuller Center for Housing
We are adding things to our auction every day. If anyone else has anything to donate to our auction please call Ed at 712-441-5437 or email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com.
The following items are offered with a reserve price. We are taking advance bids at our email fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com. You can also email us for more information about each item. I hope to post more information about the travel packages on this blog in the next day or two.
ENTERTAINMENT MEMORABILIA -- each item is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authentication.
Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar
Ringo Starr Drumhead Display
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display
Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom
framed and mounted
The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom
presented
Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo
Star Wars 16X20 Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford
Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo
Angelina Jolie 8X10 (no reserve)
AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES
*2010 Masters (Augusta, Georgia) Final Rounds with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)
*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package with Airfare for (2)
*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)
*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)
*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)
with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)
*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite, Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury
Car Rental 2010
*Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
We WILL have capability of email bidding at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com for these so out of town people can participate.
As of now, our auction will include at no reserve:
Two Okoboji art prints from Terril artist Anita Plucker
Bare Minerals Starter Kit from Derm Us, Spencer
"Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore and "3:16" by Max Lucado from On Eagle's Wings
Season passes to Arnold's Park
Gift Certificate to Hen House in Spencer
Framed Art Print from Steffen Furniture in Spencer
Caps from Southern Archery
Gift certificate to Royal Tan
Barn Quilt from Bob Stall
Cap, tee shirt and Millard Fuller memorial celebration nail apron (no longer available anywhere else) from the Fuller Center for Housing
We are adding things to our auction every day. If anyone else has anything to donate to our auction please call Ed at 712-441-5437 or email us at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com.
The following items are offered with a reserve price. We are taking advance bids at our email fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com. You can also email us for more information about each item. I hope to post more information about the travel packages on this blog in the next day or two.
ENTERTAINMENT MEMORABILIA -- each item is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authentication.
Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar
Ringo Starr Drumhead Display
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display
Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom
framed and mounted
The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom
presented
Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo
Star Wars 16X20 Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford
Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo
Angelina Jolie 8X10 (no reserve)
AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES
*2010 Masters (Augusta, Georgia) Final Rounds with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)
*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package with Airfare for (2)
*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)
*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)
*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)
with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)
*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite, Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury
Car Rental 2010
*Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
We WILL have capability of email bidding at fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com for these so out of town people can participate.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Today, I want to tell you about our homeowner, Lisa. She is a single mom of two daughters, a teenager and an infant, who light the room with her smile. She worked as a nurse until just before her baby, now over a year old, was born. Her employer terminated her wrongfully.
Since then she's helped a friend in a home daycare, and that's been something to get by in this economy, but it's obvious from the spark in Lisa's eyes, the real warmth that emanates from her that she was made for something more -- it's just the series of events in her life have caused her discouragement right now. With her nursing certification, she does aspire to more than the work before her, but she feels an obligation to her employer.
Only recently, her friends have pointed out that the daycare can find a replacement but there may well be people who need a nurse like Lisa to give them hope and comfort. She's getting her mojo back and looking for a job that fits her capabilities and will provide steady income for her little family.
Helping find a job is not the Fuller Center's mission, but every bit of hope and stability helps for all the families living in inadequate housing.
Lisa and her daughters are staying in a nice house now, but it belongs to a church, and we all knew it wasn't forever. Plus, of course, Lisa has a house -- it's just gutted now. She was resourceful enough to contact us at the Fuller Center -- Iowa Lakes even before we had our board and we immediately said, "Yes, we'll help you."
We knew the current home was not forever, but had not imagined as we scheduled our big fundraiser for May 8 and gradually but steadily gathered materials and funds that her move-out date would move up to June 1.
Yes, that's June 1, 2009. It's more imperative than ever that we receive needed funds and materials to complete Lisa's Jensen's house as soon as possible. We need volunteers now more than ever. By now, I mean now. We will have major build days May 16, 23 and 30 at a minimum with our board members and core volunteers working with Lisa and her friends and family on other days, too.
Even in her discouragement, though, she believes God has something bigger for her, that her tears will be transformed to joy, her mourning to dancing, her mess to a miracle.
Help us finish this simple home for an amazing family, and feel your heart grow at least two sizes.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Feast and Fantasy -- for the reality of a livable home!
What: Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Pasta Dinner with Auction and Live Music
When: Friday, May 8th 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: First Lutheran Church, West Okoboji, Iowa
Why: To make houses livable for our neighbors!
Dinner: pasta with choice of sauce, garlic bread, salad and signature desserts
Live Music: singer-songwriter Alan Morphew headlining our evening!
Auction: We have the following auction items as of this writing:
Passes to Arnold's Park. I believe they are season passes.
Two art prints from Terril artist and Spencer Middle School art
teacher Anita "Katie" Plucker -- paintings of scenes around Okoboji.
Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar
Ringo Starr Drumhead Display
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display
Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom
framed and mounted
The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom presented
Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo
Star Wars 16X20 – Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford
Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo (not my first choice on the list but
maybe someone with a tween girl will attend)
Angelina Jolie 8X10 – Was thrown in by The Autograph Store
AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES
*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)
*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night
Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package
with Airfare for (2)
*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with
3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)
*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)
*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)
with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)
*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and
Airfare for (2)
*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night
Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience
with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted
Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite,
Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and
Airfare for (2)
Trip to 2010 Masters, airfare, 3 night stay, VIP passes, gift bags
*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury Car Rental
2010 Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
We WILL have capability of phone, text and online bidding for these so out of town people can participate.
Project:
When: Friday, May 8th 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: First Lutheran Church, West Okoboji, Iowa
Why: To make houses livable for our neighbors!
Dinner: pasta with choice of sauce, garlic bread, salad and signature desserts
Live Music: singer-songwriter Alan Morphew headlining our evening!
Auction: We have the following auction items as of this writing:
Passes to Arnold's Park. I believe they are season passes.
Two art prints from Terril artist and Spencer Middle School art
teacher Anita "Katie" Plucker -- paintings of scenes around Okoboji.
Eric Clapton Guitar - this is a framed and mounted signed guitar
Ringo Starr Drumhead Display
Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band Drumhead Display
Bob Dylan Record Album custom framed and mounted
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr & George Harrison Record Album custom
framed and mounted
The Rolling Stones Record Album also custom presented
Johnny Cash 16X20 signed photo
Star Wars 16X20 – Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford
Miley Cyrus 16x20 signed photo (not my first choice on the list but
maybe someone with a tween girl will attend)
Angelina Jolie 8X10 – Was thrown in by The Autograph Store
AMAZING TRAVEL PACKAGES
*Disney World Resort Family Adventure 4-Night Package with Airfare for (4)
*2010 Kentucky Derby First Floor Clubhouse Package includes 3-Night
Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Pinehurst Resort (North Carolina) Golf, Dining & Spa 4-Night Package
with Airfare for (2)
*Choose Your Favorite Major 2009 NASCAR Race Premium Package with
3-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Nickelodeon Family Suites Orlando 4-Night Package with Airfare for (6)
*Hyatt Regency Chicago 4-Night Stay with Airfare for (2)
*Southern Hospitality Golf Package 6-Nights Pairs Savannah (Georgia)
with Kiawah Island (South Carolina) with Airfare for (2)
*NASCAR Car Racing Package with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Experience with 4-Night Stay and
Airfare for (2)
*Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Michigan Avenue Shopping Spree, 4-Night
Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Kennedy Space Center Space Pass and Astronaut Training Experience
with 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
*Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the US Capitol Building with a Noted
Historian in Washington DC, 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (4)
*Churchill Downs (Kentucky) VIP Experience including a Private Suite,
Race Named in Your Honor, Trophy Presentation, 3-Night Stay and
Airfare for (2)
Trip to 2010 Masters, airfare, 3 night stay, VIP passes, gift bags
*Pebble Beach 4-Night Experience for (2) includes Carmel and a Luxury Car Rental
2010 Super Bowl XLIV in Miami Package includes 4-Night Stay and Airfare for (2)
We WILL have capability of phone, text and online bidding for these so out of town people can participate.
Project:
Monday, March 23, 2009
Save the Date! Feast with the Angels!
Fuller Center for Housing - Iowa Great Lakes
Fundraising dinner and silent auction with live music.
Friday night, May 8
5:30-7:30 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
West Okoboji, Iowa
Tickets $10 from any Fuller Center Iowa Lakes board member
Email: fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com
Call: 712-441-5437 or 712-260-5027 (leave message on voicemail)
Why should you come and dine with us? See blog below.
We can't wait to see you!
Is there a video with this short blog? Of course there is. Is it by downhere? Taste and see!
"We've got lots of gifts so why don't we do what we were saved for? Come along and why don't we stir?"
Fundraising dinner and silent auction with live music.
Friday night, May 8
5:30-7:30 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
West Okoboji, Iowa
Tickets $10 from any Fuller Center Iowa Lakes board member
Email: fullercenteriowalakes@gmail.com
Call: 712-441-5437 or 712-260-5027 (leave message on voicemail)
Why should you come and dine with us? See blog below.
We can't wait to see you!
Is there a video with this short blog? Of course there is. Is it by downhere? Taste and see!
"We've got lots of gifts so why don't we do what we were saved for? Come along and why don't we stir?"
Feast with the Angels!
It's sunset on an evening in May. You're seated at a round table where the view of new houses dotting the green hills of West Okoboji are bathed in brilliant pinks, oranges and the shade of red that says love. You know the shade. We see it all the time on the Lakes.
The scent of fresh baked desserts competes with the smell of pasta and garlic coming from the kitchen. Live music from local artists sets the stage for a night where not only do you get out of the house to see, be seen, socialize and savor, but the community comes together for one of its own.
Right. I've been to a thousand spaghetti dinners, fish fries, hog roasts and pancake breakfasts in this town, you say. It's not all that, and your purple prose will never convince me otherwise.
Fair enough. Maybe what we have is a garden variety spaghetti dinner
fundraiser.
What if we have a not so secret spice in our kitchen? Before you groan that my analogy is cheesy, bear with me for a moment. What if the little we can do -- put on a pretty average pasta dinner -- is expanded, enhanced, grown to ten or a hundred times its scope through our faith?
Huh?
I'll be perfectly up front -- we're a new organization. We need everything. We have lots of passion and little money.
But, our account has grown exponentially in the last two weeks through little donations -- $25 here from a total stranger who read the Fuller Center -- Iowa Lakes story at http://fullercenter.org/ $150 from Farmer's Bank where our account is opened.
We could raise enough money for our Terril project selling $10 tickets to our dinner one at a time. With live music and a silent auction, it's a bargain night out for a great cause.
But it's more than that. All the dinners around town are for worthy enough causes, and all of them bring out generous people.
All we're asking from you is a little, because God will take your $10, your mustard seed and grow it into a large tree, or in our case an entire house that needs to be redone almost from top to bottom.
When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts. That's the economics of God's kingdom.
Glen Barton, field operations for the Fuller Center for Housing, says our covenant partner has come about as "fire, ready, aim." Our first project found us, and as you can read in previous blogs, when we heard Lisa's story we knew we had to help. It was just us and we had no money, hadn't really started our covenant partner, we had nothing.
Ed and I reached out last summer and fall for people to take a chance with us to make this project happen and found a fantastic, motivated, talented and inspired board that any nonprofit would be blessed to have. (Attention other local nonprofits -- do NOT steal our board members. You can borrow them, though, if they have the time and inclination to serve you the way they've served the Fuller Center for Housing).
God grows the littlest shred of promise into a beautiful garment that can cover us all. The smallest effort, if he's in it, can create a new society. Rest assured our entire board is praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on us.
Come see a few noodles grow into a magnificent feast. A few materials create a new home. A few hearts glow scarlet with the color of amazing, agape love.
Today's video is another fitting song from Downhere called "Little is Much."
"This is a song for the weaker, the failures and so-called losers. Little is much when God's in it and no one can fathom the plans he holds. Little is much when God's in it, he changes the world with the seeds we sow."
The scent of fresh baked desserts competes with the smell of pasta and garlic coming from the kitchen. Live music from local artists sets the stage for a night where not only do you get out of the house to see, be seen, socialize and savor, but the community comes together for one of its own.
Right. I've been to a thousand spaghetti dinners, fish fries, hog roasts and pancake breakfasts in this town, you say. It's not all that, and your purple prose will never convince me otherwise.
Fair enough. Maybe what we have is a garden variety spaghetti dinner
fundraiser.
What if we have a not so secret spice in our kitchen? Before you groan that my analogy is cheesy, bear with me for a moment. What if the little we can do -- put on a pretty average pasta dinner -- is expanded, enhanced, grown to ten or a hundred times its scope through our faith?
Huh?
I'll be perfectly up front -- we're a new organization. We need everything. We have lots of passion and little money.
But, our account has grown exponentially in the last two weeks through little donations -- $25 here from a total stranger who read the Fuller Center -- Iowa Lakes story at http://fullercenter.org/ $150 from Farmer's Bank where our account is opened.
We could raise enough money for our Terril project selling $10 tickets to our dinner one at a time. With live music and a silent auction, it's a bargain night out for a great cause.
But it's more than that. All the dinners around town are for worthy enough causes, and all of them bring out generous people.
All we're asking from you is a little, because God will take your $10, your mustard seed and grow it into a large tree, or in our case an entire house that needs to be redone almost from top to bottom.
When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts. That's the economics of God's kingdom.
Glen Barton, field operations for the Fuller Center for Housing, says our covenant partner has come about as "fire, ready, aim." Our first project found us, and as you can read in previous blogs, when we heard Lisa's story we knew we had to help. It was just us and we had no money, hadn't really started our covenant partner, we had nothing.
Ed and I reached out last summer and fall for people to take a chance with us to make this project happen and found a fantastic, motivated, talented and inspired board that any nonprofit would be blessed to have. (Attention other local nonprofits -- do NOT steal our board members. You can borrow them, though, if they have the time and inclination to serve you the way they've served the Fuller Center for Housing).
God grows the littlest shred of promise into a beautiful garment that can cover us all. The smallest effort, if he's in it, can create a new society. Rest assured our entire board is praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on us.
Come see a few noodles grow into a magnificent feast. A few materials create a new home. A few hearts glow scarlet with the color of amazing, agape love.
Today's video is another fitting song from Downhere called "Little is Much."
"This is a song for the weaker, the failures and so-called losers. Little is much when God's in it and no one can fathom the plans he holds. Little is much when God's in it, he changes the world with the seeds we sow."
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