Focus on. Winter illing Homes Serving People with Developmental Disabilities

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1 Filling s 60 s Focus on Winter 2019 s The Filling family homestead where it all began. An enourmous, Maple tree, almost perfectly symmetrical, that stood in Carrie Filling s front yard growing up became the view from the original lobby of the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy. Pastor Emil Moser, first administrator of the Filling Home, regarded it as a symbol of mercy for the home that was to be a venture in faith. illing Homes Serving People with Developmental Disabilities It was September of 1959 when Carrie Filling Vajen opened the doors to this Home of Mercy. In 2019, to celebrate our 60th anniversary, all of Filling Homes will take the year to reflect on the mission that is her legacy. s s An Affiliate of the Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Sharing Resources Enhancing Lives

2 2 A Generous Heart Winter 2019 I n the hallway just outside the office door, hangs a beautiful old portrait of Carrie. As our resident tour guide, Kate, winds her way through the building with new staff in tow, she stops for a solemn moment each time to make sure we know that she is really important she is why this is my home. From all accounts, Carrie Filling Vajen probably would not have considered herself all that important giving what she had to help others well that was just a part of what she felt she was called to do. Born in Woodville Ohio in 1874, Carrie later married Carrie Filling Vajen, Founder George Vajen of Henry County and in 1916 Filling Memorial Home of Napoleon became her home. After George s Mercy, Inc. death in 1957, Carrie made a gift of her family homestead and farmland to pave the way for the creation of Filling Memorial Home. Carrie s inspiring vision of a place for refuge and care first opened the doors in September of 1959 as children with intellectual and developmental disabilities settled in. Today as we rejoice in celebrating Filling s 60th anniversary year, Kate s simple words remind us of the power of Carrie s gift...not only a continuing home for refuge and care, but the power to inspire the lives and generosity of those in service to others. Through the past six decades many, many donors and volunteers have shared their blessings with this ministry in meaningful ways--gifts of time, talent, and resources. With this help, and certainly much prayer, Filling Home has worked tirelessly to fulfill Carrie s legacy and expand this important mission. As our The Mission is the Legacy anniversary celebration unfolds in the coming months Terri Rodriguez, we invite you visit, learn more, and share your heart of President & CEO generosity! The Four Lutheran Agencies Sign Covenant An agreement dating back to the earliest days of Filling Homes history, that affirms the commitment of church bodies and the Four Lutheran Agencies of Northwest Ohio to continue the important work of social ministry in the region, was honored with the biennial signing of a Ministry Partnership Covenant. The Lutheran Ministires of Mercy and Filling Homes, along with Lutheran agencies, Genacross Lutheran Services and Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio, welcomed Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the ELCA (front row, left) and President Kevin Wilson, of The Ohio District LCMS (front row, right) to their quarterly meeting held at Genacross headquarters in Toledo Representing the agencies from left: Megan O Brien, Luther Home of Mercy; Terri on December 14, 2018, for the momentous Rodriguez, Lutheran Ministries of Mercy; Rick Marshall, Genacross Lutheran occasion. Services; Traci Jaksetic, Lutheran Social Services; Carol Slight, Filling Homes.

3 Winter Instead of Going Through the Motions... W hat if Carrie Filling Vajen had lived her Christian life going through the motions? What if she had chosen to be served and not to serve? What if her heart for the weak and forgotten had not moved her to be Jesus to the last and the least? When Carrie Filling Vajen through prayer and planning with her siblings after the death of their parents decided to give everything, to do more than just what was expected of a Christian, she opened the doors to this Home of Mercy. At that time, only two years before her death, she may not have understood the significance of her actions, but 60 years later, we understand clearly what it has meant to those we serve... Bryan wouldn t be able to complete his daily routine of pushing the laundry bin through the building unassisted, David wouldn t be able to enjoy the opportunity to be one of the three kings in the Chapel Christmas pageant, and Brianna wouldn t be meeting and greeting the public at an exhibition featuring her artwork. When those doors to the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy opened in September of 1959, the doors to fulfillment of lives for people with developmental disabilities were opened too. According to the constitution adopted, and the desire of the Board of Trustrees, this Home is to provide refuge and care... in short, for those people, children and adults who are most helpless and have no other place to go. What Carrie planted all those years ago has blossomed and grown over the course of 60 years. From expansion of facilities to development of services to increasing numbers of people served, Filling Homes is accomplishing exactly what the Filling family intended it to do touch lives. Filling Homes founder was not a Christian going through the motions. She acted as the hands and feet of Jesus. What must her prayer have sounded like as she contemplated this Home of Mercy? How was her heart for the forgotten revealed to Pastor Emil Moser and other pioneers of this area? What was it that simply would not allow her to stand by in a time when there was need for care and there wasn t a great deal of respect or consideration for the lives of people living with disabilities? Filling Homes mission is the legacy of Carrie Filling Vajen. Throughout the entire year of 2019, we will commemorate the 60-year history of Filling Homes and its evolution, and we will celebrate all that has been achieved as a result of the legacy to serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities thanks to the mission of our founder, and the commitment to continuing it. We hope you ll celebrate with us. Mrs Vajen s last will and testament said, The principles of honesty, truth, sobriety, industry and frugality shall govern the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, Inc. and such principles shall ever be instilled in the children and adults I depart this life in the hope that the Filling Memorial Home of Mercy, Inc. shall become an instrument of enduring and ever increasing benefit to mankind and especially those of tender years and the aged. The Mission is the Legacy

4 4 #GivingTuesday C elebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicked off the charitable season, when many focus on holiday and end-of-year giving. This is the fourth year that Filling Homes has participated in the event by having a goal in mind AND having a partner to help us reach it. The Thrivent Financial Member Network of the Mid-America Region offered to serve as our corporate partner and made an incredibly generous pledge to match each donation, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000! In order to realize the full potential of the match, Filling Homes had to raise $10,000. The thing about a matching gift is that is really does what it is intended to do inspire giving. Many people who wanted to see their donation go further and do more good, gave and gave generously. In the end, Filling Homes raised $13,231! Ten thousand dollars of that amount was matched by the Thrivent pledge, so the grand total raised amounted to $23,231! Winter 2019 The wish list of items for Filling Homes Community Center, which included an adaptive swing for the patio area; a room divider to partition the large space into smaller areas for program needs; and storage caddies for the many tables and chairs at the Center so they can be easily removed from the main space allowing for a variety of activities, have already been ordered! More good news since we raised funds in excess of what was needed for these items, we have a large sum of remaining funds to go toward a new adaptive minivan that will service that location too! Additionally, Filling Homes and many other organizations across Northwest Ohio find more support through the Toledo Community Foundation. Each year TCF helps both sides of the giving on Giving Tuesday through #GIVINGTUESDAYNWO, which introduces those who want to donate with a variety of missions through a directory created especially for helping them find nonprofit organizations to support. The nonprofits that register are eligible, after the event, to be one of three organizations randomly drawn to receive an award of $5,000! This global day dedicated to giving back is accomplishing so much good. Individuals and businesses are given opportunities to make a difference in their communities and those whose mission it is to help in the community are able to do more through their generosity. Filling Homes is so grateful to all the friends of our mission for the huge show of support and to Thrivent Financial Member Network for their partnership and generosity! Thank you! Pictured (l-r): Jean Cohrs, Filling Homes; Brad Musshel, Thrivent; Brianna Lillie, Filling Homes Community Center participant; Tina Leaders, Filling Homes; Matt Crandall, Thrivent; Marcia Gobrogge, Thrivent.

5 Winter 2019 Women s Guild of Filling Homes 5 Meeting Important Needs in 2018 S tepping up to fill the needs of Filling Homes residents is nothing new for the Women s Guild. They ve been doing it for 53 years, but the magnitude of their generosity and care never ceases to amaze! Identifying community services as a focus of particular need, the Women s Guild organized two successful events in 2018 that provided much needed funding for paid employment training and transportation. After a year off due to personal conflicts, the Women knocked one out of the park with the Festival of Tables. The result provided adult day service site, Trinity Place in Bryan, the industrial shredder needed for clients choosing to perform secure document shredding as part of their supported employment service. Linda Ludeman (left), Guild treasurer and Carol Dille, Fling chairperson, present a check for the proceeds from this year s event to Carol Schroeder (center), director of finance and HR services for Filling Homes. The Filling Fall Fling was blessed with a matching gifts offer from Filling Homes supporters, Richard and Mary Ellen Nerod. The match guaranteed $.50 for every $1.00 raised by the Fling up to $8,000! The Guild did not leave this gift laying on the table. Their efforts raised more than $17,000. Adding the match to that, the Guild presented Filling Homes with more than $25,000 toward the purchase of a new adaptive minivan! We are grateful for their dedicated support! Above: Guild members get a good look at the fruit of their labor a brand new minivan for community services. Right: Facilities director, Lori Beakas, accepts Festival of Tables funds from Chairpersons, Bonnie Ohlrich and Micky Baker. Zion Lutheran Church of Defiance Endowment Fund Award of more than $3,500 Helps Filling Homes Purchase Therapy Equipment. T he Supine stander pictured at left is the purchase that Filling Homes was able to make thanks to the Zion Lutheran of Defiance Endowment Fund! This costly but highly beneficial equipment makes possible critical therapeutic opportunities for Casey (using the stander in this picture) and others like him who benefit from periods of upright positioning. Just 30 minutes a day, several times per week aids digestion, develops and maintains muscle, encourages range of motion of extremities and promotes socialization and engagement in activities. We are so grateful to Zion for their caring support of our ministry and for making a real difference in the lives of the people with developmental disabilities that we serve!

6 6 Winter 2019 The Filling Home Foundation We sincerely thank our friends who generously support our ministry. Individual Gifts Bonnie Ohlrich, Liberty Center, OH Mildred Sigg, Suzanne Johnson, Archbold, OH Wauseon Women s Guild of Filling Homes Wauseon, OH Andy Westhoven, Liberty Center, OH Ray & Margery Bauman, Findlay, OH Glenn and Patricia Alexander, Miamisburg, OH Charles & Jeri Campbell, Toledo, OH Patty Michaelis, Defiance, OH Harlan & Lois Billow, Maumee, OH John Fitzenreiter, Deshler, OH Deborah Salaz, Steven and Amy Thieroff, Holgate, OH Duane Trausch, Montpelier, OH Carl & Kathleen Roepcke, Marysville, OH Shirrel & Janet Petzoldt, Holland, OH Dale & Marcia Kern, Archbold, OH Joan Myers, Toledo, OH David & Esther Plassman, Treva Kigar, Houston, TX Don & Terri Grimm, Grand Rapids, OH John & Wanda Schimpf, Bloomville, OH Douglas & Denise Jacobs, Tipp City, OH Lillian Lagger, Oregon, OH Michael & Mary Ann Benecke, Diana & Roger Ashenfelter, Archbold, OH Ray and Marie Cox, Indian Rocks Beach, FL Paul and Sandra Oehrtman, Christopher and Sandra Lawrence, Venedocia, OH Ohio Gas Company, Bryan, OH Donald and Luella Rockey, Montpelier, OH Donald & Dorothy Wukotich, Woodville, OH Dennis & Cathy Price, Barbara Shininger, Defiance, OH William & Irmgard Rohrs, Terry & Jean Cohrs, Todd & Carol Slight, Bank Of America, Dallas, TX Timothy & Kimberly Schumm, Robert & Cathy Jones, Daniel & Beth Bodette, Wauseon, OH David & Lori Beakas, Waterville, OH Michael Short, Archbold, OH Jonathan Fruth, North Olmsted, OH Carol Feller, Bowling Green, OH Wendy Staup, Toledo, OH Ray Gottschling, Maumee, OH Kelli Eitzman, David Crandall, Robert & Marcia Gobrogge, Filling Homes Staff, Kevin & Antoinette Wilhelm, Maryland Hts, MO Kathryn Gleason, Montpelier, OH Kenneth & Janet Meyer, Richard & Mary Ellen Nerod, Miami Lakes, FL Barbara Moorhouse, Maineville, OH Ric & Carol Brandt, Edon, OH Larry & Jodi Irving, Walter & Lorna Hougland, Timothy Kolhoff, Swanton, OH Stephen Tucker, Liberty Center, OH Women s Guild of Filling Homes, David Von Deylen, Carol Chatham, Defiance, OH David & Eileen Stough, Ridgeville Corners, OH Joan Schriner, Archbold, OH David & Anne Maahs, Brighton, MI Earnie & Lois Clark, Harold, KY Dale Dennison, Warren, OH Richard & Sandra Segrist, Howard, OH Robert & Cathy Jones, Emily Stroede, Defiance, OH Grace Peterson, Toledo, OH David & Mary Ann Schott, Richmond, CA Timothy & Lois Hancock, Malinta, OH Ervin & Kathleen Hanson, Stuart, FL Marie Baker, Wauseon, OH Charles & Laurie Winters, Sylvania, OH Delmer & Suzanne Bockelman, Robert & Anne Rethmel, Defiance, OH Walmart, Able 529, LLC, Blue Bell, PA Michael & Lynn Hoops, Malinta, OH Sam & Beverly Costello, North Olmsted, OH John & Marlene Freund, Van Wert, OH Michael & Mary Waleryszak, Fremont, OH Steven & Linda Warner, Bryan, OH Kevin & Antoinette Wilhelm, Maryland Hts, MO Ann Little, Continental, OH Wilma Harding, Hicksville, OH Jan & Robert Bratton, Delta, OH Edna Martin, Rocky River, OH Goodville Mutual Casualty Company New Holland, PA Henry County Christmas Cheer, Kirk Thompson, West Unity, OH Steven and Melissa Munday, Stryker, OH Robert Gioia, St. Louis, MO Gene Hills, Hudson, FL Mark & Linda Boff, Bloomfield Hills, MI James & Miriam Wagel, Georgetown, OH Marvin & Martha Dietsch, Edgerton, OH James & Terry Riggs, Bryan, OH Jeannette Ogilvy, Cos Cob, CT Charlotte Smith, Deshler, OH Benton and Monica Bassett, Lakewood, OH Carol Wince, Ada, OH Dorothy Robey, Attica, OH Ken s Furniture, Inc., Defiance, OH Douglas & Denise Jacobs, Tipp City, OH Timothy Robinson, Adrian, MI Knights Of Columbus Council 1344 C & J Equipment Rental, F.C.P. Realty, Ltd., Women s Guild of Filling Homes, Ray Gottschling, Maumee, OH Dora Titgemeyer, Thomas & Judith Schult, Perrysburg, OH Alfred & Mary Billow, Toledo, OH Lavina Boesling, Defiance, OH William & Reba Thomas, Wayne, OH Sally Doster, Paulding, OH Delores Sutton, Paulding, OH Daniel & Beth Bodette, Wauseon, OH InFaith Community Foundation, Minneapolis, MN United Way of Toledo, Toledo, OH Lincoln Life, Fort Wayne, IN Memorial Gifts In Loving Memory of Albert Hahn Thelma Hahn, Hamler, OH In Loving Memory of Alvin Warncke DHS Class Of 1961, Defiance, OH In Loving Memory of Brodus Smith Glenn and Patricia Alexander, Miamisburg, OH In Loving Memory of Christine Rohrs Don and Marian Dickmann, Ronald and Diane Sonnenberg, Hamler, OH In Loving Memory of Denelda Rohrs Emanuel Lutheran Church Women, Anonymous In Loving Memory of Denise DePaulo Don and Diane DePaulo, Maple Heights, OH In Loving Memory of Devin Drew Wiff Donald Wiff, Poland, OH In Loving Memory of Douglas Meyer Helene Meyer, Defiance, OH In Loving Memory of Edward Eitniear Verl and Merna Homier, New Bavaria, OH In Loving Memory of Elmer & Beatrice Lanzer Vivian Lanzer, McClure, OH In Loving Memory of Frances Sonnenberg Ronald and Diane Sonnenberg, Hamler, OH Hope Lutheran WELCA, Hamler, OH Wanda Lou Badenhop, Hamler, OH William and Janet Von Deylen, In Loving Memory of Helen Neiling Joan Schriner, Archbold, OH In Loving Memory of Jackie Unland John and Renee Adams, Marretta, GA In Loving Memory of James Duncan Mitchell Susan Mitchell, Cleveland, OH

7 Winter 2019 In Loving Memory of Janet Cohrs Arlene Wesche, Stryker, OH Sara Rastocan, Dennis and Cathy Price, Hope Lutheran WELCA, Hamler, OH Carol Schroeder, New Bavaria, OH In Loving Memory of Jesse & Esther Germann Janice Hales, Delta, OH In Loving Memory of Leif Teig Stephanie Gordon, Lakewood, OH Russell and Jill Negray, Avon, OH In Loving Memory of Marvin Zachrich Jennifer Perdew, In Loving Memory of Mary Mercy Warrer Mildred Sigg, Kenneth and Janet Meyer, Mark and Jolene Sigg, John and Carol Speiser, David and Jane Helberg, Robert Rohrs & Debbi Lecklider, In Loving Memory of Melinda Avery Melissa Pollauf, Martin, OH In Loving Memory of Paul Gilliland Verl and Merna Homier, New Bavaria, OH In Loving Memory of Paul Wank Earl & Janice LaGorin, Sarasota, FL In Loving Memory of Phyllis Germann Sharon Bischoff, Wauseon Class Of 1957, Randolf Germann, In Loving Memory of Richard Spoering Richard Spoering, Deshler, OH In Loving Memory of Rolland Fickel Donna Fickel, Defiance, OH In Loving Memory of Shirley Losey and Lawrence & Esther Dierker, Eloise Dierker, Liberty Center, OH In Loving Memory of Wally & Lloyd Dierker and Doug Losey Eloise Dierker, Liberty Center, OH Honor Gifts In Honor of Ken and Arlene Freytag Anniversary Kenneth and Arlene Freytag, In Honor of Ian Pozarzycki Julia Rhodes, Bryan, OH In Honor of Jane Claussen Keith and Virginia Tomlinson, Kaukauna, WI In Honor of Nancy Darr Margery & John Yegge, Richland, WA In Honor of Rebecca Lynn Eddington Audrey Sutton, Clyde, OH Audrey Sutton, Clyde, OH In Kind Gifts were received from: St. Mark s WELCA, Defiance, OH St. John s Lutheran Church, Montpelier, OH Suzanne Johnson, Archbold, OH Christ United Methodist, Evansport, OH Wauseon Women s Guild of Filling Homes Wauseon, OH Andy Westhoven, Liberty Center, OH Congregational Gifts Lutheran Men in Mission Bucyrus, OH WELCA of Good Hope Lutheran Church Bucyrus, OH St. John Lutheran Church Women Celina, OH ELCA Foundation Chicago, IL Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Defiance, OH St. Mark s WELCA Defiance, OH Zions Lutheran Church Defiance, OH Trinity Lutheran Church Delta, OH St. John Lutheran Church Deshler, OH Christ United Methodist Evansport, OH Hope Lutheran Church Fostoria, OH Grace Lutheran Church Women Fremont, OH Hope Lutheran Church Hamler, OH Hope Lutheran WELCA Hamler, OH St. John s Lutheran Church, Montpelier, OH St. John s Lutheran Church Women Montpelier, OH St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Paul Lutheran Church, Nap. Twp. St. Paul Women of Life, Nap. Twp. Emanuel Lutheran Church Women Holgate CCL, New Bavaria, OH St. John Lutheran Church, Paulding, OH St. John Lutheran Church WELCA Paulding, OH St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Ridgeville Corners, OH Zion Lutheran Church Dorcas Society Saint Marys, OH St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, OH St. Pauls Women Of The Church Sulphur Springs, OH Hope Lutheran Church, Hamler, OH St. John Lutheran Church, Deshler, OH St. Paul Lutheran Church, Nap. Twp., St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church (Florida) Christopher & Sandra Lawrence Venedocia, OH St. John Lutheran Church, Paulding, OH Charlotte Smith, Deshler, OH Trinity Lutheran Church, Delta, OH Estate Gifts 7 Church of the Master United Methodist Women, Wauseon, OH WELCA of Good Hope Lutheran Church Bucyrus, OH St. John Lutheran Church Women Celina, OH ELCA Foundation, Chicago, IL Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Defiance, OH St. Mark s WELCA, Defiance, OH Zions Lutheran Church, Defiance, OH Trinity Lutheran Church, Delta, OH St. John Lutheran Church, Deshler, OH Christ United Methodist, Evansport, OH Hope Lutheran Church, Fostoria, OH Grace Lutheran Church Women, Fremont, OH Hope Lutheran Church, Hamler, OH Hope Lutheran WELCA, Hamler, OH St. John s Lutheran Church, Montpelier, OH St. John s Lutheran Church Women, Montpelier, OH St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Nap. Twp., St. Paul Women Of Life, Nap. Twp., Emanuel Lutheran Church Women Holgate CCL, New Bavaria, OH St. John Lutheran Church, Paulding, OH St. John Lutheran Church WELCA, Paulding, OH St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church Ridgeville Corners, OH Zion Lutheran Church Dorcas Society Saint Mary s, OH St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, OH St. Pauls Women of The Church, Sulphur Springs, OH Church of the Master United Methodist Women, Wauseon, OH Estate of Lyla Avers s Kind People are the Best Kind of People. St. Paul Women of Life, Nap. Twp., Wal-Mart, Holgate CCL, New Bavaria, OH Henry County Christmas Cheer, Zions Lutheran Church, Defiance, OH Thank You!

8 8 Winter 2019 Thrivent Choice Donors Every year, Nancy Arps and Barbara Resendez in our Resident Properties department conduct Secret Santa to ensure that all 51 of our residents have something to open on Christmas. This requires making Christmas lists for each resident and finding volunteers to donate the items, which Nancy and Barbara then wrap for Santa to put under the tree at Christmas. We are so thankful for all who generously contribute to this project. This A New Year A New Resolution of Generosity According to a YouGov poll, the most common aspirations for the coming year are to eat healthier, get more exercise and to save more money. Almost one-third of us don t even bother with any New Year s resolutions and for those that do by the end of January we re done with them. Not exactly motivational right?! Let me suggest that there s one resolution that we might all be able to do throughout the year to live more in the light of God s love and generosity with each other. How might we be more generous? Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food to people in need. When we forgive, and we re kind and gentle with others, we are generous in spirit. When we help others, we demonstrate generosity. Generosity is like glitter. It gets into the corners and into the cracks of the hardest places and it brings light. God blesses each of us to share generously and in return we receive great joy. God s own generosity with us gives us the ability to be more generous to those around us and see the wonderful surprises of His work. I know going into this New Year that I am going to fall short of keeping this generosity resolution for all of 2019 every single Napoleon Walmart Donates to Secret Santa Nancy and Barbara, far left, greeted four representatives from Napoleon Walmart, who came bearing gifts for Filling Homes Secret Santa. year, our Napoleon Walmart, who has been so generous to our mission through contributions and donations of products to our gardening program, impacted Secret Santa by taking 10 names of Filling Homes residents and adding them to their employee Angel Tree project. These employees then donated the items to our residents ensuring the residents who received them awoke to gifts under the tree! Thank you Napoleon Walmart! Craig Behnfeldt, Jan Bratton, Delta, OH David Crandall, Debra Fahringer, day. And yet, despite my own shortfalls, God extends His grace to me daily. He remains faithful and good to me and to you. When we leave this earth, what will the example of our own lives tell others? Will it point to the resolution of generosity and faithfulness? Major and planned gifts to Filling Home can be a bright reflection of our life s journey of faith and generosity. They are truly gifts to the future ministries of Filling Home AND they are also enduring testimonies of lives joyfully lived in faith year after year. Since 1959, Filling Home donors, staff and volunteers have demonstrated faith and generosity. As we embark on 2019 may we all express joy-filled generosity in continuing God s work here for years to come as His faithful and generous people. To get started today on your own estate and financial legacy planning, contact: Karen R. Mathison, CFRE Director of Planned Giving Lutheran Ministries of Mercy or kmathison@lutheranministriesofmercy.org Welcome Karen R. Mathison Karen joins Lutheran Ministries of Mercy as the Director of Planned Giving. Karen has 20 years of experience in successful fundraising, nonprofit management, strategic planning, board development and organizational development and is an accomplished leader in the nonprofit sector. Her professional nonprofit career began in 1997 serving as Executive Director of the United Way of North Central Iowa for six years. Subsequently, she continued to serve United Way as President & CEO in Olmsted County of Rochester, MN, for 10 years and United Way of Greater Toledo since Karen has served as a two-term member of the National Professional Council of United Way Worldwide and as President at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg, OH where she is currently a member of the nominating committee. She is active in Perrysburg High School Band Boosters and the Perrysburg Junior High Parents Organization. Margaret Green, Ridgeville Corners, OH Timothy Hoops, Lynette Hulbert, Defiance, OH Laura King, Findlay, OH Edwin Panning, Peg Rastocan, Michael Shultz, Alex Sinning, Ohio City, OH Ronda Sinning, Ohio City, OH Carol Slight, Todd Slight, Linda Sonnenberg, Norbert Sonnenberg, J B Speiser, Kristi Speiser, Peter Walters,

9 Winter Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Thank you for supporting our three ministries serving together! Michael House, Perrysburg, OH Rev. Donald & Dee Wukotich, Woodville, OH illing Homes Serving Persons with Developmental Disabilities Pastor Donald L. Wukotich Scholarship At the 2017 retirement of Pastor Don Wukotich, Lutheran Ministries of Mercy s fi rst President and CEO, a scholarship was established as a tribute to his faithful service to the ministries of Filling Homes, Luther Home of Mercy and Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio. The $500 scholarship benefi ts employees of any of these LMM affiliates pursuing higher education in a fi eld that relates to our ministries. Thanks to the generous contributions of the scholarship s supporters, eight scholarships were awarded in Applications will again be due in June of this year. The number of scholarships awarded is determined by what is available in the fund. If you are interested in contributing to maintain this worthy fund for the betterment of LMM staff members, please fi nd information and donation opportunity at lutheranministriesofmercy.org. $ Synodical Visit Filling Homes had the pleasure of hosting Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwestern Ohio Synod of the ELCA and six staff members at our base campus in Napoleon in October. After Vice President Carol Slight gave a brief rundown of the services provided by Filling Homes to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, the group was led on a tour that included the Hab Center and a residential living area. The entourage seemed to particularly enjoy the Sensorium, which is a unique, therapeutic Multi Sensory Environment (MSE) located within Filling Homes on-site, adult day service program. Especially touching was a heartfelt prayer with the residents during the visit. We are so grateful for Bishop Beaudoin s time and interest in learning more about our ministry and for the opportunity to meet the Synod staff! Annual Meeting Lutheran Ministries of Mercy March 11, 2019 Reverend Kevin Wilson, President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Ohio District, is slated to present the keynote address at the LMM Annual Meeting. The Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Annual Meeting planned for Monday, March 11, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Perrysburg, will feature the remarks of Willson who began his term in June of The evening s benediction will be offered by Bishop Daniel Beaudoin of the Northwestern Ohio Synod.

10 10 Winter 2019 Mission Spotlight

11 Winter 2019 Change of Address 11 Please clip and return this form, if you or someone you know has changed addresses. Thank You! Name Adress City State Zip Phone Please make address/name correction I am receiving two copies I would like to receive the newsletter via Return form and address label from this newsletter to: Filling Homes N160 State Route concerns to : jcohrs@fillinghome.org Moser Scholarship The Women s Guild of Filling Homes Each year, the Women s Guild of Fillng Homes offers a wonderful opporttunity for graduating high school seniors, who are planning for a career in nursing, to be awarded $1,000 to help with college expenses. It is that time of year, once again. All applications must be postmarked by March 31,2019. Please visit fi llinghome.org or our base facility located at N160 State Route 108 in Napoleon to fi ll out an application and please share this information with aspiring nurses that you know! Thank you for supporting our ministry with these donations! Kitchen Snack-pack pudding Jello Fruit juice Rice Macaroni Spaghetti Noodles Mustard Ketchup Cream of Wheat/Rice Oatmeal Cold Cereal Mixes (cake, pancake, muffin) Sugar (brown,white) Cooking oil Shortening Soups (all types) Canned meat Canned fruits and vegetables (all sizes) Syrup (pancake, karo, chocolate, strawberry) Drink mixes (all kinds) Zip lock bags Cupcake liners Paper bags (brown,white) Dish Soap Dish towels Dish cloths Oven mitts

12 LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTHWESTERN OHIO GENACROSS LUTHERAN SERVICES LUTHER HOME OF MERCY FILLING HOMES 12 Winter 2019 illing Homes Serving Persons with Developmental Disabilities Filling Memorial Home of Mercy N160 State Route fillinghome.org Change Service Requested Please Join Us! SAVE the DATE Join us for Lutheran Ministries of Mercy Annual Meeting Monday, March 11th Hilton Garden Inn Perrysburg Levis Commons 6165 Levis Commons Blvd, Perrysburg, OH Registration begins at 5:30 pm Dinner served at 6:00 pm