Committed to change
The agency annually serves more than 40,000 people in the state of Illinois through 40 programs that nurture and protect children, empower families and transform communities.
LCFS President and CEO Gene Svebakken also highlighted this commitment in his opening remarks to attendees: “We're committed to being a Lutheran social ministry rooted in our faith and connected with congregations and other donors. We're committed to being responsive to human needs and mobilizing resources to respond to those needs. We're committed to being a professional organization and providing quality services. This has been true from the time we became one of the first agencies to hire a professionally-trained social worker 75 years ago to the providing of services today throughout the agency by our professional staff.”
Commitment was also evident during a high-energy auction overseen by master of ceremonies and auctioneer, celebrity chef Chris Koetke. That live auction, combined with all other proceeds raised more than $114,500. In addition, a special initiative appeal to raise funds for the work being done at Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center raised $18,450.
The evening's mission speaker was Jacalyn Hebert Townsend (pictured with this article), a program supervisor for LCFS' Child Welfare program. She knows firsthand the meaning of commitment, having adopted a foster child she first cared for a number of years ago after he spent time at Lutherbrook. She also shared with attendees the commitment to children at LCFS and Lutherbrook; “(My son's) story is just one example of how Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois works to protect and nurture children. The Building Bridges residential treatment philosophy at Lutherbrook allows youth to develop their sense of belonging in the world. This is a critical step in their transformation from traumatized youth to productive self-sufficient citizens.”
For added excitement this year, following the main program and conclusion of the auctions, the evening continued with time for fellowship and celebration, including dancing indoors and s'mores at a fire pit outdoors.
And you can't talk about commitment without mentioning our event sponsors, whose support of the Gala exemplifies their commitment to the work done by LCFS. Thank you to Heartland Business Systems, the Gala's Presenting Sponsor for their significant contribution, which helps make the Gala possible. Thanks to Nite Owl Prints, LCC, for underwriting the entire event's printing. Thanks also to the following sponsors for their help in making this year's event a success: Assurance Agency, Cantera Financial Associates of Thrivent, Laurus Strategies and Mutual of America.
View more Harvest Gala pictures on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LCFSIL) and get more detailed information about LCFS programs and giving opportunities at www.lcfs.org.