Morningstar Mission Visit
I had the pleasure of visiting Morningstar Mission with several other members of Trinity on Monday, January 16th. The main reason for this visit was to deliver a check to them in the amount of $1,419.16 which represented the proceeds of our December fundraising campaign done for their benefit. Rather than just put a check in the mail, though, I thought this might be a good opportunity for me and others to learn more about this mission. What follows is a summary of our visit, and I hope you’ll read this to see your donations at work – they are a remarkable organization.
Prior to our visit, we had already delivered 204 coffee mugs to them that were donated through the "Mugs for Morningstar" campaign (our thanks again to Kim Blecke for this creative and relevant idea). Judy Wilmsen took several boxes of mugs with her when she would go to serve at the mission, and we saw the many cartons of coffee mugs in their kitchen when we first arrived (fresh from the dishwasher), clearly being put to good use. They serve approximately 200 people at each meal and they serve breakfast, lunch & dinner every day. Having an extra 200 mugs on hand certainly helps out in the kitchen, as they only serve coffee in real mugs (no paper or Styrofoam – they want folks to feel more at home and a mug of coffee goes a long way here).
Ginny DeCarlo, who has long organized our giving tree program for Morningstar, also joined us in this visit. The final attendee from Trinity was Midge Meents, who was instrumental in promoting our fundraising campaign in December for the benefit of this mission. My goal in involving a handful of members of Trinity was to give us all a little more insights into what this organization does. To speak for the five of us in attendance at this visit, I can assure you this was an insightful, educational and – above all – worthwhile visit. Read on and I hope you will draw the same conclusions the five of us did.
We met with the Executive Director of Morningstar Mission, Marilyn Farmer, who was kind enough to lead us on our tour of their operation. A few highlights of this tour, including several things I didn’t know about this mission, are as follows:
In all, this was a very rewarding experience made possible through the generosity of members of this church. Getting to see our donations in use was a humbling experience. Things many of us take for granted are immeasurably appreciated by the people served by the Morningstar Mission. Sharing our faith with those who have fallen on hard times is a great way to spread God’s word and reach people who might not otherwise be reached.
For more information about Morningstar Mission, please contact me or anyone else who is part of our volunteer effort to support them. You can also find an article in the New Lenox Patch about this visit that will be published on Tuesday, January 17th.
Sincerely,
Jeff McDonald, Director of Outreach
Trinity Lutheran Church
I had the pleasure of visiting Morningstar Mission with several other members of Trinity on Monday, January 16th. The main reason for this visit was to deliver a check to them in the amount of $1,419.16 which represented the proceeds of our December fundraising campaign done for their benefit. Rather than just put a check in the mail, though, I thought this might be a good opportunity for me and others to learn more about this mission. What follows is a summary of our visit, and I hope you’ll read this to see your donations at work – they are a remarkable organization.
Prior to our visit, we had already delivered 204 coffee mugs to them that were donated through the "Mugs for Morningstar" campaign (our thanks again to Kim Blecke for this creative and relevant idea). Judy Wilmsen took several boxes of mugs with her when she would go to serve at the mission, and we saw the many cartons of coffee mugs in their kitchen when we first arrived (fresh from the dishwasher), clearly being put to good use. They serve approximately 200 people at each meal and they serve breakfast, lunch & dinner every day. Having an extra 200 mugs on hand certainly helps out in the kitchen, as they only serve coffee in real mugs (no paper or Styrofoam – they want folks to feel more at home and a mug of coffee goes a long way here).
Ginny DeCarlo, who has long organized our giving tree program for Morningstar, also joined us in this visit. The final attendee from Trinity was Midge Meents, who was instrumental in promoting our fundraising campaign in December for the benefit of this mission. My goal in involving a handful of members of Trinity was to give us all a little more insights into what this organization does. To speak for the five of us in attendance at this visit, I can assure you this was an insightful, educational and – above all – worthwhile visit. Read on and I hope you will draw the same conclusions the five of us did.
We met with the Executive Director of Morningstar Mission, Marilyn Farmer, who was kind enough to lead us on our tour of their operation. A few highlights of this tour, including several things I didn’t know about this mission, are as follows:
- More than 200,000 meals were served in 2011 to needy members of the community
- The number of meals served has increased by double digit percentages for the last several years in a row – more and more people are finding themselves in need of this mission’s support
- A nightly Chapel service is held for people served by this mission, as Faith is an integral part of their mission to get people back on their own two feet
- An emergency men’s intake center with 24 beds fills up each night and is emptied each morning. The lucky ones who get a bed are also given an opportunity to shower before leaving the next day.
- A 6-month recovery program is offered for up to 21 additional male residents to allow them a chance at recovery as well as an opportunity to learn a vocation in hopes of finding work
- All residents are asked to pitch in and help prepare the meals that are served there, as well as to help maintain their serving area (again, more emphasis on teaching vocational skills)
- GED courses are offered to residents who lack high school diplomas – another step toward giving their residents and other community members a chance at securing employment
- Case Managers are available to counsel residents and to help them develop useful skills that can increase the chances of securing long-term employment
- A computer lab is available to community members who sign up and this lab offers courses from the very basics of operating a computer to advanced courses in various Microsoft products. All courses are taught by volunteers with suitable teaching credentials.
- A family section with 24 rooms capable of sleeping as many as 72 people is also full to capacity, providing temporary housing for several single parents and their children. Morningstar is the only area mission who does not separate children of any age from their parents.
- Morningstar Mission actually owns a number of houses in the neighborhood that they use for transitional living (including a home where their Executive Director lives, putting her literally in the midst of all they do there). Some of these homes are specifically designated for Veterans of our Armed Forces and all are full with waiting lists.
- Help serve meals. Judy Wilmsen coordinates this effort with the help of a number of volunteers from Trinity. A group of four people go every other Monday to the mission. Judy and others bring homemade brownies, cupcakes and other dessert items to the delight of the meal recipients.
- Talk to them. In addition to serving, volunteers are needed to just lend an ear to the residents, look them in the eye and let them know they are respected human beings. Consider joining Judy and others who go along to serve by just spending some time with those who come to eat – you might be surprised to learn they’re not that different from you and I.
- Pray with them. Given their origins in spreading the Word of God, they encourage volunteers to pray for those who come to the mission. Spending some time talking to the residents and offering to pray for them could go a long way.
- Donate to them. Whether it is gently used clothing or rummage items, their facility on Route 30 (where Berry’s used to be – across from Target) is a place where you can take items to donate to the mission. Depending on their ability to pay, some residents are given vouchers to ‘shop’ for clothing and other needed items at the Treasure Chest.
- Save your cash or change and plan to donate to them again in 2012. They were very appreciative of the money we gave to them on behalf of the members of Trinity Lutheran Church. As we seek out other worthy causes for support in 2012, we are very likely to conduct another fundraising campaign for Morningstar Mission. If you’re able to set aside something for them over the course of the year, please do so and plan to pitch in later in the year when we put together our 2012 campaign.
In all, this was a very rewarding experience made possible through the generosity of members of this church. Getting to see our donations in use was a humbling experience. Things many of us take for granted are immeasurably appreciated by the people served by the Morningstar Mission. Sharing our faith with those who have fallen on hard times is a great way to spread God’s word and reach people who might not otherwise be reached.
For more information about Morningstar Mission, please contact me or anyone else who is part of our volunteer effort to support them. You can also find an article in the New Lenox Patch about this visit that will be published on Tuesday, January 17th.
Sincerely,
Jeff McDonald, Director of Outreach
Trinity Lutheran Church
