UCG-Minneapolis’s Outreach
Hosted a Strawberry Fundraiser
to raise over $1400 for LifeNets
and to benefit the local community

Sunday June 30, 2002  

            It was a hot but beautiful day where most members had to drive a considerable distance to pick strawberries, and pick we did, gathering 500 pounds in two hours! One member drove 11/2 hours Sunday morning to pick strawberries at 6am, and then he had hurried back so he make to his real job for the rest of the day. This would be a challenge to any one in the 90+ heat and humidity but he also has MS and is in a wheel chair! He could not be dissuaded from participating from the fund raiser valuing it as a wonderful opportunity to serve. He inspired and encouraged all of us which was reflected by everyone’s enthusiasm, hard work and lots of laughs from our seniors to our youngest who was only 4 years old.

            Earlier in June we had applied for matching funds from WalMart since they often will match the funds raised by a nonprofit organization benefit if it meets their criteria. Our proposal was accepted and they also allowed us to sell strawberries outside their entrance.

            The Strawberry Fundraiser enabled us to present one hundred dollars and food to both food shelves in the county and we were thrilled to send over thirteen hundred dollars to LifeNets.

            This money will go into the Latin American Scholarship program fund for 21 students in poverty stricken countries that would have little opportunity for education or employment.  The amount raised paid for three El Salvador university tuitions for one year.  Thank you LifeNets!

 

Participants of the 2002 Strawberry Fund Raiser and their photo identification are as follows:

Sue Allan (Sue’s bare headed and Judy Servidio is wearing a blue cap Will Boetcher Sue, Dustin, and Lisa Ellison Jim, Amy, Jeff, Amy Sue, Joel, Alicia, and Jonathan Hargarten Steve, Cheryl and Jana Kunde Brad Masson Wade Malowitz (in a wheelchair leaning over picking berries) Jim and Nancy Morgan (backs to each other, Jim has a light blue shirt, and Nancy has a yellow cap) Gary, Nancy, Erica, and Ben Pederson Tom, Debbie, Jessica, Kaylee, and Lindsey Randle ( Debbie is wearing a white hat and is with daughters Jessica and Lindsey, Kaylee wearing a navy blue cap is holding a container of berries, Tom with Jessica in a white cap kneeling, Jessica is holding one strawberry, Jim and Judy Servidio Velma Soberg Bob, Linda, Mike, Gail and Laura Togerson (Linda has a light blue outfit and is with Jessica and Linsey Randle, Laura is a teen with a blue visor.