Foundation BoardMembers Volunteerin Multiple WaysLSS’ Foundation Board members not only help with thestrategic direction of the LSS endowment funds, but theyalso find time to get to know many of LSS’ programs.Board members have shared their time and talents with ourstaff and customers in numerous ways this year.

Paul Berge and Gary Steinhauer (pictured at left)participated in a cookout for members of Off the SquareClub in Madison, Wis. The Club serves men and womenwith serious and persistent mental illness. About 40 to 50Club members took advantage of the brats, hamburgers,potato salad, chips, brownies, etc. It was a true joy to havethese Board members interact with staff and our customersto see how their leadership impacts LSS.

Issue 2 2007

A newsletter for friends of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

C O N N E C T I O N S

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #2484

MILWAUKEE, WI

647 W. Virginia Street, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53204

LSS Agency-wide and Regional OfficesAgency-wide Administration (414) 281-4400

North East Region(920) 734-4326

South Region(262) 896-3446

West Central Region(715) 834-2046

LSS Leadership TeamBeth BelmoreDirector of Programs, North East Region

Dianne Classon BeyerVice President, North East Region

Jeff CarriganVice President of Resource Development

Michael H. GunsVice President and CFO

Ted HakalaVice President, West Central Region

Ron HauserDirector of Children, Youth and Family

Programs, South Region

Michael HoffmanVice President of Human Resources

Edward T. KohlVice President, South Region

David N. LarsonPresident and CEO

Barb WollnerDirector of Health Services, South Region

C O N N E C T I O N S 3

On the Cover: LSS staff in Marquette,Mich., hosted a 125th anniversary celebration and benefit earlier this fall.Pictured at the event are Case ManagerSarah Fogaroli, client Wes Billingsly, andWelcome Home Coordinator SharonKivikko. See story on page 7.

Dear Friends,

Children, children everywhere!

Hanging from our necks, our arms and our legs,the children of the world hold on to us. This isboth figurative and real. Our children, all thechildren of the world, need us. They need us forsecurity, for food, for shelter and for love.Though this happens in many ways, the mostpowerful is when a child is linked with an adultand becomes part of a healthy and loving family!

Recently, several LSS staff members and Ibecame literal “kid trees!” We were visiting thePhilippines and, in addition to taking part in abi-annual international adoption conference, wevisited orphanages. These are caring institutionsrun by incredibly talented and committed professionals that provide safe, caring environments forchildren who do not have a family to provide such.

It is from those orphanages that you, committed members of our churches and communities,reach out and welcome children into your life — to become forever families through adoption.What a gift that is and what a powerful message that sends to the entire world – that togetherthese children of ours can have incredible hope for the future and that there are families waitingfor them.

I wish I could transport you to Manila so that you, too, could experience first-hand being a“kid tree.” These children who have already faced such difficulties in their lives are full of caringand longing and love. They reach out to all who come, and share their appreciation with song,smiles and hugs.

At LSS, we are finding more and more ways to enable these children to find forever families.LSS annually enables a combined total of 800 international and domestic adoptions each year.Recently in response to our 125th Anniversary, the LSS Foundation presented a plan to increaseour Forever Family Fund to the point of helping families adopt over one hundred more kids eachyear. It is called the 125 Kids Challenge and is yet another way you, your church and yourcommunity will make an impact here and across the globe. You will hear more about this challengein the year to come.

Children have always been at the heart of the LSS mission through the church – and thatmeans children of all ages. As God’s children, we are bound to a world-family full of hope andpromise, and also filled with difficulties and trouble. It is into that world that we at LSS, alongwith churches across the world, wade into the loneliness and hurt of the world to make a difference.We willingly become “kid trees” to welcome all those who need us.

Thank you for your continued partnership in caring and serving those in need.

Pastor David Larson

LSS Connections is a publication of

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and

Upper Michigan. Please direct questions

and comments to: Briena Jacob, Public

Relations Manager, Lutheran Social

Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan,

647 W. Virginia St., Suite 300, Milwaukee,

WI 53204-1535, (414) 325-3192,

bjacob@lsswis.org.

IN LIVING COLOR! Connections prints in full color thanks to the continuedgenerosity of long-term printing supplier, Marek Printing.

While LSS celebrates its 125th year of providing servicesto those in need, LSS’ Family Partnerships Initiative (FPI)marks a milestone worth celebrating as well. The programmarks its 10th anniversary this year. To celebrate, FPI willhost Sewing the Seeds of Change, a gathering of LSS staff;kids, teens and families served; county social workers andrepresentatives; and other friends and supporters of the program.

“We will be commemorating the hard work that families,our staff, and these counties put in to making this programthe success that it is today,” shares Ron Hauser, LSSregional director overseeing the FPI program. “We’ve comea long way over these first ten years.”

The FPI program took shape in the mind of Dave Titus,director of Dodge County health and human services. At

the time, he felt there should be a betterway to serve high cost, high

need kids. FPI came to fruitionin 1997 out of his initiative. LSS

received the contract after expressing interestin taking on the entire responsibility of managing cases and providing and/or purchasing services. “And we’ve neverlooked back,” says Ron.

Ten years ago, the program started as aconsortium of nine counties and served about35 kids at any given time. Ron says that in its10 years, FPI has won several awards, has

been considered for severalnational awards, has

been recognized bythe Governor, and

has grown tonow work with

a 14-countyconsortium and

help up to 75kids at any given

time. The programhas helped over 500

children and familiesaltogether. The main

goal is to provide wrap-around services that

CELEBRATING A DECADEOF DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES

From the Presidents’s Desk

increase the face-to-face time children receive with professionals in an attempt to keep them in the leastrestrictive environment. Renee Donner has been a casecoordinator for FPI since the very beginning. She sees thefamilies she works with three or four times a week for atleast one year.

“At times I am an advocate, friend, mom, and sister,as well as a social worker. My main role is to build atrusting and open relationship with families. Once I dothis, I start seeing positive results,” says Renee. “Thebest part is when I’m invited to graduations that I neverthought would happen, or when I get a card or letter froma former client who is doing well.”

What’s in store for the future of FPI? Ron explains,“Over the next 10 years, we will continue to review andrevamp our program so that as kids change, we changetoo. We never want to get to a point where we don’t knowhow to help a certain child and we never want to give upon a child. My goal for this program is that we continue tolive by our motto of doing ‘whatever it takes.’”

“This job has

certainly fulfilled my

expectations and I

LOVE MY JOB!

Every day is a new

adventure and so

much fun.”— Renee Donner,

FPI Case Coordinator

“The best part is

when I’m invited to

graduations that I never

thought would happen,

or when I get a card

or letter from a former

client who is doing well.”

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and UpperMichigan marked its 125th anniversary on September 13 witha dinner at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee, Wis.Over 230 board members, clergy, staff and friends cametogether to celebrate LSS’ long history of compassionate socialservices. LSS was honored to have Presiding Bishop MarkHanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as aguest and feature speaker for the evening.

The goal of this evening was to celebrate LSS’ long history of serving others and to kick-off an initiative called the 125 Kids Challenge. The purpose of this Challenge is tohelp 125 kids find an adoptive family. We will be askingELCA pastors and congregations to join with us by praying forthese infants and children as they wait, by promoting the needfor adoptive families, and by providing financial assistance tolessen the cost of adoption.

Right now, an international adoption can cost from $30,000 to $40,000 depending upon the country. Hopefully,the 125 Kids Challenge will help individuals and couples in their effort to start or expand their families. In the comingmonths, we’ll be piloting this Challenge in the greater Milwaukee and Madison area, so stay tuned for more information.

4 C O N N E C T I O N S

LSS CELEBRATES125 YEARS OF CARING

C O N N E C T I O N S 5

Reason to CelebrateThank you for your continued support of our shared ministry,which is 125 years strong in 2007. You have been instrumentalin our success by providing guidance, prayers, financial andin-kind support that enables us to serve so many. As a thankyou, we’d like to show you how you have helped shape ourvision to “Change the world – one grace-filled life at a time.”

To learn more about how you are touching lives viayour generous financial support, call or e-mail us for a free125th anniversary DVD or VHS copy. The video featuresreal customers who were touched by LSS’ adoption and birthparent program; children, youth and family program; andspecial needs program.

Please e-mail givinginfo@lsswis.org or call us at414-325-3016 for a free copy today, to see whose lives youhave helped change!

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors

Change the WorldMarshall & Illsley Bank

GoldGenesee Aggregate CorporationMichael Best & Friedrich LLPWhyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

BronzeDiversified Investment AdvisorsThe Marek Group, Inc.Steinhauer Charitable TrustTitusMarsh USA Inc.Jeff & Martha CarriganSpectraCom, Inc.Ministry Health CareMarx CreativePeterbilt Wisconsin,

a JX Enterprises Company

PlatinumNorthwestern Mutual Foundation

SilverA.O. Smith FoundationAT&T Culver Franchising System, Inc.Suby Von Haden & AssociatesThe Schroeder Group,

S.C. Attorneys at LawUnitedHealthcare

Event Sponsors

EntertainmentJohnson Direct, LLC

ReceptionDelta Dental of WisconsinHammond Associates

Silent AuctionG2 Creative Inc.Jeff & Martha Carrigan

TicketsHall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.Motivational Marketing, Inc.

Corporate Sponsors

Above: LSS was honored tohave Presiding Bishop MarkHanson, seen here with DavidLarson, president and CEO, andGary Grindeland, vice presidentof church relations.

Shanna and Vic de la Cruz present a check of the proceedsfrom the night.

Desiree, a youth at the Homme Youth and Family Programs, created this paintingbased on her NativeAmerican name“Rainbow Woman.”

Jan Seidell admires the craftsmanship in the mirror made by boysat Homme Youth and Family Programs.

REGIONS CELEBRATE 125 YEARS

6 C O N N E C T I O N S

Wittenberg Community Day’s 125th Celebration was held thissummer and LSS’ Homme Youth and Family Programs took part inthe festivities. LSS staff and residents created an award-winningfloat and participated in the parade and other activities. Their third-place float featured people and items significant in LSS’ beginnings— particularly Pastor EJ Homme and his wife (played by LSS staffPastor Karla Kirkeby and Ron Meyer) who are credited with startingLSS 125 years ago by opening an orphanage for children.

As part of the celebration and for community service, the girlsunits at Homme had a lemonade and popcorn stand. The residents

were quite proud of their accomplishments and felt a part of alarge community. The Vocational Education Program fabricatedAdirondack chairs, tables, a cedar bench, and a birdfeeder/

planter for the Wittenberg Craft Market. They also showcasedperennials, house and garden plants, which had been raised in theHomme greenhouse.

The Appleton community was treated to a larger-than-lifebirthday cake over the lunch hour on August 8 in the centerof town. This special treat was in honor of LSS’ 125thanniversary and a Proclamation from the city of Appleton.During a presentation by David Larson, LSS’ president andCEO, and Dianne Beyer, vice president, August 8 wasdeclared “LSS Day” by Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna.

“It is important for communities to work together tosupport individuals and families where they live, work, playand worship,” stated Beyer. “Mayor Hanna's proclamationrecognized LSS' commitment to and support for theAppleton community, where we provide services for childrenand families in a variety of programs, and where many ofour staff live and work.”

“It is the collaboration between city and county government, as well as social service agencies like LSSthat make Appleton an outstanding community in whichto live!” concluded Beyer.

Reverend & Mrs. EJ Homme make a special appearance in Wittenberg

LSS Day in Appleton

Marquette staff host a“fun”draising celebration

LSS staff in Marquette, MI hosted a 125th anniversarycelebration and benefit for homeless youth in the UpperPeninsula earlier this fall. The event was held at UpFront& Co. and featured live music, food, dancing and a silentauction. Proceeds of this great event benefited LSS programsserving runaway and homeless youth and families.Specifically, the donations helped the Voices for Youth andWelcome Home programs.

Voices for Youth offers services designed to meet thebasic needs of homeless youth while, at the same time,offering support services that allow youth to be reunited withtheir family or make a successful transition to independence.Services are available free of charge for youth ages 10 to21. Services are offered 24-hours a-day, seven days a weekand are tailored to fit individual needs.

Above: Dianne Beyer, LSS vice president, presentsa Proclamation of LSS Day by the Appleton mayor.Inset top: David Larson, president and CEO of LSS,greets guests Mary Lauffer and John Pilon, bothLSS employees. At right: LSS birthday cake.

Many LSS employees helped plan and enjoy the night. Shown are Adoption Worker Kerry Wiese,NER Human Resources Director Teri Pedersen, Regional Director Rick Kochis, and Adoption DirectorMaureen Eckstein.

Right: Natalie Patron, who works at GreatLakes Recovery Center, and her family show support for LSS’ 125 celebration and ourVoices for Youth program.

C O N N E C T I O N S 7

Above: Homme Youth and Family Programs’ award-winning float.

Festival Celebrates Adoptive Families This summer, Lutheran Social Services hosted the 7th bi-annualAdoption Festival at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.More than 300 people attended this event, which celebratesthe creation of families through adoption. In addition tointernational guests, the Ballet Folklorico Mexican dancersperformed along with a Nicklaus’ Martial Arts Americagroup, caricature artists, and clowns who twisted balloonsfor hundreds of children. While the children enjoyed games,crafts and coloring, parents took part in educational sessions.

The event doubles as a fundraiser. Guests could purchaseinternational gifts at the marketplace or bid on silent auctionitems. Proceeds will aid each international adoption countryas well as the LSS domestic adoption program.

“We are extremely honored to be able to host thisevent,” said Carol Hakala, LSS’ director of adoption. “Onthis day we are able to see how important it is to havefamilies connect with each other along with their children— it makes us realize how crucial it is to find permanency

for children all over the world.” The day after the Adoption Festival, families that

have adopted from Novosibirsk, Russia stayed in LaCrossefor a picnic and opportunity to share stories and experiences.“The best part of this picnic is that it gives our childrenanother piece of the puzzle of who they are and wherethey come from because they get to meet other childrenwith their same heritage,” says picnic organizer ReneeSchliz. Over 30 families attended this annual picnic,which was originally started by the Lee, Elvin andHannemann families 10 years ago.

Renee says that the picnic also allows families toconnect with other families they may have traveled withand children who may have been in the same orphanageto reconnect. Once again this year, Dr. Larissa, the directorof the orphanage in Novosibirsk was able to attend andsee how the children are doing. Proceeds from the picnicwent to support operations at Orphanage #1 in Novosibirsk.

Making a Difference Now and Forever A gift through your will is a meaningful way to create a legacy of care for others.

If the ministry of Lutheran Social Services (LSS) is close to your heart and if you care forthose served by LSS, you may find that your greatest opportunity to make a significant

gift can come through your estate. Your gift can care for those served by LSSlong into the future. Perhaps the easiest way to make a "once-in-a-lifetime" giftis by leaving instructions in your will. Take care of yourself and loved onesduring your lifetime. Then care for the organizations that served you andothers at the end of your life by making provisions in your will.

Please discuss this opportunity with family members and your attorney.In addition, if you have taken this step to name LSS in your will or estate plan,please let us know. We’d like to thank you and learn more about how youwould like your gift used in the future. If you have any questions or if you wouldlike a copy of a brochure that provides more information, please contact Jay

Peterson by phone at 1-800-488-5181, ext. 3073 or by e-mail at jpeterso@lsswis.org.

8 C O N N E C T I O N S C O N N E C T I O N S 9

LSS Resource Development 800-488-5181, ext. 3073 givinginfo@lsswis.org

In 2006, after learning more about Lutheran Social Services (LSS) ofWisconsin and Upper Michigan, over 900 individuals became first-timedonors to the agency. And it all began by just adding their name toour mailing list. LSS relies on the generous financial support ofthese individuals, as well as businesses, churches, and many otherorganizations to provide a full range of compassionate social servicesto over 100,000 people each year.

Help us spread the word about the great work LSS does in yourcommunity and inform others of LSS’ mission. If you know someonewho might be interested in learning more about LSS and financiallysupporting our efforts, please forward his/her name and mailingaddress to Briena Jacob at 414-325-3192 or bjacob@lsswis.org. Wewill mail this person a free issue of this magazine, which highlightsnew programs and services, customer stories, charitable givingopportunities, legislative action alerts and much more.

You can make a difference in the long-term future of LSS bysimply submitting one or more names. Thank you for your cooperation!

Just One NameJust One NameJust One NameFestival Celebrates Adoptive Families More than 300 people attended LSS’ 7th bi-annualAdoption Festivalheld this summer inLa Crosse, Wis.

C O N N E C T I O N S 1 1

At Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin andUpper Michigan, our name, our mission and our theologyof service flow directly from our close association with theLutheran Church.

The partnership between LSS and congregationsstretches all the way back to the 1880s when concernedLutherans established institutions in Wittenberg andMadison to care for orphaned children. From then untilnow, Lutherans have given tangible evidence that we arean active and alive church, hearing Christ’s call and trulycaring for our neighbors.

deeply appreciated by LSS staff and clients,” stated RickKochis, regional director.

Dean Frye, volunteer coordinator for this mini-missiontrip, was glad to bring LSS and the volunteers together. “Ithink we may have benefited more than the efforts we gave,”he stated. “Your organization has helped us more than you canimagine because of the experience that we have gained and thegood feeling we got by being able to help someone in need.”

Also in Upper Michigan, a partnership is getting anew look. LSS’ Marquette office will be moving into abuilding that Messiah Lutheran Church owns, and thathouses the Northern Great Lakes Synod (NGLS). Thisbeautiful, 100-year-old building was recently renovated forupdates and to make room for LSS. The NGLS will occupythe first floor and LSS will be on the second. This great newand affordable space will have seven offices for variousprogram managers and room to hold group meetings forLSS customers. LSS is thankful for this opportunity to

1 0 C O N N E C T I O N S

Affinity House to Our Savior’s quilting group turned intomany afternoons of fun. After this first meeting, the quiltinggroup donated sewing machines to Affinity so they couldpractice and continued to teach the women. Learning theseskills has enabled these women to sew for themselves andfor others less fortunate than they are. The relationshiphas been beneficial to both the women at Affinity as wellas to the women at Our Savior’s.

A search for a mini-mission trip brought Green Bayarea churches, including Trinity Lutheran, to UpperMichigan to help LSS programs. At the Voices for YouthHouse, a program for homeless youth, volunteers spentthe weekend installing new storm doors, working on thefloors, and doing much-needed maintenance and cleaning.

At two other houses, the volunteers did extensiveyard work including grass cutting, weeding, and windowwashing. “The work they did was phenomenal, and

The

Today LSS is the social ministry arm of 500,000 Wisconsinand Upper Michigan Lutherans in over 800 congregationsof the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through LSS,the church reaches out to thousands of people annually toprofoundly affect the course of their lives and to do togetherthings that individuals or congregations cannot readily doon their own.

“Church partnerships are a vital part of our work atLSS,” said Gary Grindeland, vice president of churchrelations. “So many of our programs have established greatrelationships with local churches and have reaped therewards from generous donations, support and volunteersthat the churches provide.”

An example of an established partnership is betweenthe quilting group at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church andwith the female residents of Affinity House, both in EauClaire. What first began as an outing for the women at

bring our shared ministry together. In addition to this partnership, the Seibert Foundation provided a grant of$24,400 to help with renovation costs.

First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc also provides LSS’Project Youth program with numerous in-kind supports. Forover 20 years, First Lutheran has helped this program withreasonable rent of the parsonage, water and heat costs, lawn/yard upkeep, snow and garbage removal, and general buildingmaintenance. In addition, their youth group has been a much-needed resource by contributing to the on-site emergencyfood pantry for the homeless youth program, and makessure the homeless youth receive Christmas gifts.

“The church is so good to us and, more importantly,the youth we serve,” expressed Cathy Pape, programdirector. “Without their generosity, the youth in need inour community would not have a safe place to turn for help.”These partnerships are just a few examples of the manyvaluable relationships LSS has with ELCA congregations.

Value of Church Partnerships

Top left, above and at right:Volunteers from Trinity Lutheranin Green Bay traveled to UpperMichigan to help LSS programswith much-needed home maintenance, cleaning andyard work.

A quilting group at Our Savior’s Lutheran Churchin Eau Claire, Wis. has donated time, talents andsewing machines to teach women at AffinityHouse a valuable skill.

We invite and encourage congregations and their members to support us regularlyin prayer and to consider ways to become personally connected to our ministry. Forinformation on how you can get involved, contact Gary Grindeland, vice president ofchurch relations at ggrindeland52@lsswis.org or 1-800-488-5181 ext. 3012.

Success–The staff at LSS are so thankful for the support churchesand donors have given over the years. Your contributionshave made a real difference in our programs and in thelives of our customers. Here is one example of how manyof you have helped LSS live out our mission — Motivatedby the compassion of Christ, we help people improve thequality of their lives.

Bob, an older adult with a developmental disability, wasliving in a small one-room apartment. The room consistedof a bed, small dresser, hot plate and small refrigerator.Dirty dishes were piled high in the room because therewas no sink. Upon entering the building you could smellurine coming from Bob's apartment. He slept on a soakedmattress and sat on a soaked chair. It was thought that Bobdid not like to use the bathroom, a community bathroomlocated in the hallway. His personal hygiene was lackingtremendously. Bob did not have any friends, however hisbrother would check on him periodically. Bob worked at asheltered workshop and tended to keep to himself.

When LSS stepped into Bob's life his world took a turnfor the better. He got a new apartment that had a kitchen,living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Plus, he bought allnew furniture. He was brought to the doctor for a check-up

1 2 C O N N E C T I O N S C O N N E C T I O N S 1 3

The Lutheran Social Services (LSS) office inWaukesha, Wis. hosted a fun-filled day for residentsof LSS group homes in the area. About 60 customersshared their talents in painting, singing karaoke,dancing, baking and more. All were treated to acookout, live music and desserts made by participatinggroup homes. “The pure excitement, smiles, andchance to be themselves are reasons why we thinkit’s important to hosts events like this,” said PattiFerris, special needs director. “Events like this letour residents really enjoy themselves, and keepsLSS staff grounded to our mission.”

LSS Residents Share Their Talents

and was found to have an array of health problemsincluding kidney stones, rotten teeth, poor vision andhearing, and more. All of which he received proper medicalattention for.

With staff's help he learned to cook and clean hisapartment. Bob now takes pride in himself and his personalhygiene. He works in the community, loves his job andnow has many friends. He loves participating at LSSclient events. He’s always there with a smile and is readyto participate in every activity. The activity could bedressing up in formal attire for the LSS snowball danceor putting on a scary Halloween costume for the LSSHalloween party. He has gone on every fishing trip to EagleRiver and when he catches a fish, no matter how large orsmall, his face breaks into the biggest smile you haveever seen. His eyes just shine with excitement and pride.

Through your donations and volunteer support, youhave been able to help Bob become who he is today. Henow has the life that most people take for granted — alife with friends, a safe home, food to eat, and good health.How the simple things in life can make all the differencein a person's life. And all of you helped to make thathappen – thank you for all that you do!

Success –Thanks to You

Thanks to your supportand generosity, Bob, an older adult with adevelopmental disability,now leads a full and activelife — which includes hisfavorite fishing trips toEagle River.

Residents of area group homes enjoy the fun and share theirtalents— including prize-winning art — at a recent LSS event.

C O N N E C T I O N S 1 5

An Extraordinary Way to GiveThe Pension Protection Act of 2006 might provide friends of Lutheran Social Services with a new opportunity to support

LSS — perhaps in an extraordinary way. The Act includes a variety of charitable giving incentives, most notably a version

of the long-awaited “IRA Charitable Rollover.”

Individuals 70-1/2 years old or older may make a qualified charitable distribution outright to charity

in an amount up to $100,000 per year directly from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA).

Under prior law, these distributions would be taxable to the IRA owner, but

under the Act, the distribution will be excluded from the donor's taxable income. The

IRA Charitable Rollover is available only until December 31, 2007.

Another benefit of the IRA Charitable Rollover is that the charitable distribution

may be used by the IRA owner to satisfy a portion or all of their annual minimum

distribution requirements.

You may take advantage of this new opportunity:

• if you are age 70-1/2 or older

• for gifts up to $100,000 each year

• if you make the gift on or before December 31, 2007

• if you transfer funds directly from an IRA or Rollover IRA

It is important to note that a distribution from an IRA to benefit

the ministry of LSS must be an outright gift distributed directly

from the IRA trustee or administrator. Distributions from retirement

accounts other than IRAs are not eligible under the Act.

For more information contact the Director of Resource

Development, Jay Peterson at 1-800-488-5181 ext. 3073 or by

e-mail at jpeterso@lsswis.org Jay will be happy to

discuss this opportunity and can provide you

with a sample letter to be used to instruct

your IRA administrator.

Heavy rains on Saturday, August 18, 2007 caused seriousflash floods across the La Crosse Area Synod. The resultingdamage included evacuated communities and washed outroads. The devastation did not stop there; over the followingweeks, record rainfall continued to worsen the situation.Four of the ten counties in the synod were declared federaldisaster areas, including Crawford, Vernon, and La Crossecounties in Wisconsin, and the cities of Houston andRushford in the county of Houston, Minnesota. The homesof many victims were condemned, deemed uninhabitable,and countless other victims are only beginning to determinewhat their “new normal” will be after the flood.

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin andUpper Michigan, Inc. and Lutheran Disaster Response(LDR) were contacted for assistance. LSS, in ministry withLDR, aided victims in the recovery process by offeringspiritual and emotional support, hardship grants, volunteercoordination, respite care for clergy, and case management.LSS works in partnership with various Lutheran bodies,government entities, other non-profits, local and State

Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs),and The Wisconsin Farm Center to provide assistance inthe event of a disaster.

Disaster response is not a new endeavor for LutheranSocial Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. Infact, LSS provided resources and support to victims inpast disasters, including the damaging storms during theSummer of 2004. LSS provided support to over 800 victimsin 44 counties throughout Wisconsin that year.

As the focus has zeroed in on long-term recoveryefforts after the flood in Southwestern Wisconsin, LDRis still accepting contributions. Contact the La CrosseArea Synod at 608-788-5000 for more information. Contributions aid in the debris clean-up, site coordination,and community outreach efforts. LSS and LDR will continueto work in cooperation with other aid organizations, suchas the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, CatholicCharities, the United Methodist Committee on Relief(UMCOR), and the Presbyterian Church, as SouthwesternWisconsin works to recover.

LSS Aids Southwestern

Wisconsin Flood Victims

Do YOU have a passion to serve?LSS is looking for those with a passion to serve to join our team. We offerservices for people of all ages to meet the challenges that face our communitiesand are always looking for caring, responsible individuals to assist us in ourmission. We offer employment opportunities in all facets of human services,including careers as youth care workers, community living specialists, programmanagers, certified social workers and many other positions.

If you share our passion to serve, please call 1-800-488-5181, or visit ourwebsite at www.lsswis.org for more information.

LSS offers competitive wages and benefits such as health/dentalinsurance, flexible schedules, paid vacation, sick pay and a generous retirement plan, along with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

LSS is an AA/ Equal Opportunity Employer