At this year’s Lutheran World Relief CARE-VAN ingathering the Mid-South District once again had seven drop sites where we collected handmade quilts, school kits, personal care kits, baby care kits, and fabric kits. Our drop sites included Grace, Knoxville, TN.; Cross of Christ, Chattanooga, TN.; Our Savior, Nashville, TN.; Immanuel, Memphis, TN.; First, Fort Smith, AR.; Grace, Little Rock, AR.; and Salem, Springdale, AR.
At the time of this report (12/15/2021), the top three quilt-producing congregations that dropped off their work at an LWR CARE-VAN ingathering site were Zion Lutheran Church, Alexander, AR (173 quilts), First Lutheran Church, Cleveland, TN (133 quilts) and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gillett, AR (110 quilts). A total of 1,437 quilts were donated.
To date we had 43 congregations participate (4 ELCA), collecting over $5,736 for shipping costs. We also collected 1,661 personal care kits (one congregation donated 325 personal care kits!), 110 fabric kits, 862 school kits, 128 baby care kits, and 75 face masks were also donated. The CARE-VAN trailers were loaded up with 546 boxes (weighing approximately 10,791 pounds!) of offerings from District congregations for Lutheran World Relief. Way to go Mid-South District!
Many of the congregations’ efforts are coordinated by LWML groups and longstanding quilting groups in the congregations. They participate in this effort to share the love of Christ in a personal way. The tireless efforts of those who share their talents and the generous contributions of many make this a successful ingathering.
Thank you to all who participated in this year’s annual LWR CARE-VAN drive! You touched someone in need!
Julie Tyler
Mid-South District CARE-VAN Coordinator
