APPLETON, Wis. -- In late August, President George W.
Bush asked students, schools, after-school programs and community
organizations to begin or continue yearlong service-learning and
community service projects to expand the teaching of service learning,
as well as honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
In collaboration with the United States Department of Education and the
Corporation for National and Community Service, and with assistance from
the USA Freedom Corps, the Points of Light Foundation heeded the
president's call and created the Students in Service to America
initiative.
After learning about the initiative, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
pledged $100,000 to the cause.
We're pleased to support Students in Service to America. The initiative
fits well with our mission statement, provides an opportunity to
interest young people in volunteering and our new chapter structure, and
demonstrates our commitment to the Lutheran community," said Fred Ohlde,
senior vice president of Thrivent Financial's Fraternal Operations.
Thrivent Financial's sponsorship provides service-learning tool kits
specifically to all Lutheran elementary and high school students.
Through the Students in Service to America initiative, service-learning
tool kits -- which include action guides, posters and CD-ROMs -- are
furnished to all K-12 public and private schools, as well as education
associations and volunteer organizations. The 500 regional offices of
the Points of Light Volunteer Center National Network will assist school
officials, students and community leaders in creating school based
volunteer programs.
"There's no doubt that this initiative will fit well with our new
chapter system -- we will have nearly 1,400 chapters nationwide
beginning in 2003" Ohlde said. "We hope to introduce the joy of
volunteering to a new generation through this initiative.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the National Fraternal Congress of America,
Knights of Columbus, the AT&T Foundation and Clear Channel Worldwide
also are sponsors of the initiative.
For more information about the initiative, visit
www.studentsinservicetoamerica.org or call (202) 729-8000, ext. 8113.
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network
engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve
serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety
of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all
walks of life -- corporations, faith-based organizations, low-income
communities, families, youth, and older adults -- to volunteer.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is the new organization formed from the
Jan. 1, 2002, merger of Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran
Brotherhood. Nearly 3 million members nationwide trust this Fortune 500
organization to help them achieve their financial goals. Thrivent
Financial, a financial services organization with $56.1 billion in
assets under management, offers a wide range of competitive products and
high-quality service, while enabling its members to give back to their
congregations, neighbors and communities.
By Jennifer K. London
jennifer.london@thrivent.com