Are You Ready for some BASEBALL? Get Texas Rangers tickets at a discount and support LSS Foster In Texas!

Here’s a home-run of a deal for you: You can choose from over 20 home games, in any section, and receive up to a 50% discount on your tickets for games from April 27 through September 26 (see below for schedule)*. The Rangers will donate $5 from each ticket to our Foster In Texas program. What a great double-play … you’ll be helping children in need and having fun watching the American League Champions knock the cover off the ball.

Want to go to bat for the kids? Here’s how you do it:

1. Click HERE to visit our page on the Texas Rangers website.
2. Scroll toward the bottom and enter in our password: rangerslss
3. View the schedule and click on the “T” to purchase tickets
4. Select your seats and number of tickets.
5. Enter in your credit card information on their secure form and print your tickets!

Making a donation has never been easier… or more fun! See the schedule below for available games and be sure to get your tickets early. Contact Kristy Simpson at 800-938-5777 or Kristy.Simpson@LSSS.org if you have any questions.

* Game Schedule:

Friday, April 27th vs. Rays – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Sunday, April 29th vs. Rays – 7:05
Snapple Napoli Red Jersey (First 10,000, 13 & under)

Friday, May 11th vs. Angels – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Sunday, May 13th vs. Angels – 7:05
JCPenney Mother’s Day Pink Retro T-Shirt (First 25,000, 14 & older)

Wednesday, May 16th vs. A’s – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Saturday, May 26th vs. Blue Jays – 2:05
Casting Crowns Post-Game Concert

Wednesday, May 30th vs. Mariners – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Wednesday, June 13th vs. Diamondbacks – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Sunday, June 17th vs. Astros – 2:05
Hamilton BBQ Apron (First 25,000, 14 & older)

Sunday, June 24th vs. Rockies – 6:05
Texas Beach Towel (First 10,000, 13 & under)

Sunday, July 1st vs. A’s – 6:05

Saturday, July 7th vs. Twins – 6:15
Coca-Cola Rangers 40th Anniversary Mug (First 30,000)

Friday, July 27th vs. White Sox – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Saturday, July 28th vs. White Sox – 7:05

Wednesday, August 1st vs. Angels – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Friday, August 10th vs. Tigers – 7:05
Post-Game Fireworks Show

Saturday, August 25th vs. Twins – 3:05
Washington Bobblehead (First 30,000)

Sunday, August 26th vs. Twins – 2:05

Wednesday, August 29th vs. Rays – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday (13 & under)

Wednesday, September 12th vs. Indians – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Saturday, September 15th vs. Mariners – 7:05

Wednesday, September 26th vs. A’s – 7:05
Dollar Hot Dog Night, Dr. Pepper Autograph Wednesday

Party With a Purpose: Celebrate MOMS & Help Children in Need

May 13^th is Mother’s Day.What a great excuse to get together for some fun and games while honoring our own mothers and the amazing women in our lives.

If you already gather with neighbors and friends for regular meet-ups such as book clubs, bunco groups, poker nights, tennis teams, Bible studies, or bridge groups, you are half-way there! These opportunities are custom-made to pay it forward and do some “fun-raising” for children in crisis, while honoring moms everywhere. The date of the event is entirely up to you; your get-together does not have to be held prior to Mother’s Day.

If the children of LSS are a cause you believe in, inspire your friends to join in and help out – by hosting a party or by taking a few moments at your regular monthly get-togethers to share the plight and hope of these children. We call them the “Children of Promise.” They are the abandoned, abused, and neglected children served by LSS – very few of whom had caring mothers of their own.

In 2011 alone they were:

· The 1,871 children provided foster care in 16 communities across Texas;

· 500 children who had been severely abused or neglected and received help at LSS residential treatment centers;

· 444 unaccompanied child refugees served at Bokenkamp Emergency Shelter in Corpus Christi, and 184 in foster homes in El Paso.

· 148 Texas children adopted through our domestic adoption program, and 52 children adopted through the international program; 

· 31 youth aging out of the foster care system in a pilot program in New Orleans.

Please encourage everyone you know to make a donation to support the “Children of Promise.” Collect the donations at your party or gathering and send them to:

Mother’s Day Celebration

c/o Lutheran Social Services

PO BOX 140767

Austin, TX 78714

You can also spread the love by sending an e-card or making a donation online.

Now let’s get this party started … Get your group inspired to help, raise a glass, and celebrate the spirit of Mother’s Day!

Contact Susan Rang if you have questions: susan.rang@lsss.org; 512-706-7512 or 800-938-5777 ext 7512

Chicktime Comes to Krause

“Chicktime” has a new chapter in Houston/Katy that will hold monthly events for the girls at Krause Children’s Center. Lori Rhodes, who started the first Chicktime group at New Life Children’s Center in Canyon Lake, has launched 15 Chicktime groups throughout Texas, including one in Corpus Christi that organizes events at our Bokenkamp Children’s Shelter. (That’s Lori third from the right in the photo.)

Chicktime partners with local nonprofits to support girls of all ages, exposing the girls to a wide array of creative and fun opportunities, gifts, and talents, so that they can look inside themselves and identify their own. Chicktime leaders help these young women develop their passions and use their gifts to make the world a better place for the next generation.

Volunteers: Thanks for all you do!

“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for another.” – Erma Bombeck

This week of April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week 2012. In President Obama’s presidential proclamation to kick off the week, he cited the more than half a million hours of volunteer service that followed the devastating tornadoes in Joplin Missouri.

At LSS, our own volunteer stats are pretty impressive too: In 2011 alone, 9,430 volunteers made life better for the young victims of abuse and neglect residing at New Life, Krause, and Bokenkamp, our children’s treatment facilities. We know that volunteers will get involved when a cause is close to their hearts, and at LSS that often involves troubled children.

Our volunteers go above and beyond to help kids in crisis every day. Chicktime, we’re talking about you! Gala and golf committee members, this means you! Church and service-driven youth groups, three cheers for you!

The Central Texas wildfires last fall inspired so many in-the-trenches volunteers, who helped LSS Disaster Response during and following the fires in and around Bastrop. Haylift to Texas volunteers pitched in (and are still pitching in) to help the ranchers affected by these fires and the drought feed their livestock.

At this moment in time, this week, we want to celebrate and shine the spotlight on our volunteers. They are the ones who have quietly taken action to improve the lives of others through service.

Volunteers, know that we honor and appreciate you – not just this National Volunteer Week, but every day of the year.

Caring for Kids Auction Features Family Fun!

Keeping the kids occupied this summer just got easier! Our Caring for Kids event May 5^th, features an outstanding silent auction, and you can start the bidding online NOW. The Online Auction is jam-packed with entertainment the whole family will enjoy. Whether your idea of fun is a water park or Shakespeare in the park, there’s something for every taste and temperament. If you’re a spectator or active participant, we have tickets from A (American Airlines) to Z (the Zoo). If you’ve got game or just appreciate those who have it, you’ll find some outstanding sports memorabilia up for bid, including a Texas Rangers 2011 American League Championship ball signed by Texas legend Nolan Ryan.

Oh, the possibilities: take a trip on the Grapevine Railroad, take a dip at Schlitterbahn, or just take a nap with a handmade quilt. The ladies of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas made and donated five beautiful quilts for this auction.

This is a great way to shop – not only are these items irresistible and tax deductible, every penny will go toward helping and healing the more than 250 deserving children in the Metroplex who have suffered abuse and abandonment – the children served by Nelson Children’s Ministries.

After the online auction closes, further bidding for the auction items will take place at the Caring for Kids fundraiser May 5^th at the American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum in Fort Worth. [Note: We can bid on your behalf at the event through absentee bidding when you give us your maximum bid amount. Email Kristy.Simpson@LSSS.org   for specifics.]

About the Caring for Kids Event:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

American Airlines C. R. Smith Museum, 4601 Texas Highway 360 at FAA Road, Fort Worth, Texas

Cocktails & silent auction: 6:00 p.m.

Dinner & live auction: 7:00 p.m.

Other: Visitors can take a flight through aviation history with interactive exhibits at the museum, including a flight lab and flight simulator

Individual reservation: $50

Willie Nelson-Signed Guitar Featured in Spring Fling Auction

It’s a Spring Fling first! Tarpley Music Company in Lubbock has generously donated a guitar signed by country music icon Willie Nelson, to be auctioned for our Spring Fling fundraiser. The winning bidder will be announced when the auction closes at the April 20^th event, held at the Texas Tech Alumni Pavilion in Lubbock. Spring Fling benefits LSS programs in Lubbock and the South Plains: Neighborhood House, Health for Friends Clinic, Foster In Texas, and Wedgewood South Assisted Living.*

The beautiful Ibanez guitar comes with a Willie-signed Certificate of Authenticity, bag, tuner, and other accessories. We’re so crazyabout this idea that from this Spring Fling on, we plan to make it a tradition to auction a celebrity-autographed guitar every year at this event.

It’s funny how time slips away, so start bidding online today for this wonderful instrument and keepsake. It may not be “Trigger” (Willie’s own favorite guitar) but it’s the next best thing! [Note: We already have an opening bid of $1,000!]

*To give you some idea of just how vitally important these services are to the area: 13,968 individuals were provided emergency assistance with rent, utilities, prescriptions, and other basic needs at Neighborhood House, and more than 62 tons of food and hygiene products were distributed. Health For Friends Clinic served 1,606 individual patients during 7,280 patient visits last year. Wedgewood South is the only non-profit, faith-based assisted living facility for seniors in the Lubbock area, and more than 40 children have been placed with loving families since LSS opened the Foster In Texas and Lutheran Adoption Services of Texas office in 2007.

Cheers & Tears at ¡Celebre Buena Vida!

More than 210 guests gathered at the historic Camino Real Hotel in El Paso to celebrate the Buena Vida Adult Day Center and El Paso’s Foster In Texas (FIT) children and their families. The March 29^thevent was an art show, video fest, award show, live auction, and dinner among friends, all rolled into one.

This is the eighth year İCelebre la Buena Vida! has raised funds for the Buena Vida Center and the first year Foster In Texas in El Paso has been included in the event. Buena Vida serves more than 100 low-income elderly and disabled El Paso citizens annually, nearly half of whom have Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illnesses. FIT parents rely on LSS and community support to help them provide clothing, school supplies, training, and specialized therapy for the area’s children who have been victims of traumatic emotional and physical abuse.

One highlight of İCelebre la Buena Vida! is the auction of wooden “houses” painted and decorated by local artists. This year the 80+ beautiful houses were declared more creative than ever, with some fashioned into mirrors and key holders.  Ellie Fenton of El Paso Inc. presented the newspaper’s “Home Sweet El Paso Award” to Enrique Woo for his house, “Coming  Back Home.”

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Other highlights of the night:

· LSS CEO Dr. Kurt Senske and Buena Vida director Steven Lujan spoke about Buena Vida Adult Day Center, and the difference the Center makes in the lives of participants and their families. Lujan presented a video about the participants “Thanks for keeping us young at heart,” set to the Frank Sinatra song.

· Dr. Senske presented three $500 scholarships to the UTEP Nursing Program to Kristynia Robinson, assistant dean for Graduate Education.

· Jose Alamillo, area director for LSS-FIT in El Paso, spoke about the foster care program and introduced Sam and Martha Ornelas, a Foster In Texas/adoptive family.  The Ornelases adopted River, who suffered from shaken baby syndrome (SBS)when he was just a newborn.  They showed a video of River’s life story that touched everyone so deeply the couple received a very LONG standing ovation.

· The live auction was run by Gary Warner, a former El Paso newscaster. Included in the auction were: Woo’s award-winning house; a U.S Flag and 9/11 Flag of Honor with the names of all the victims of 9/11; a John Hardy silver and gold cuff bracelet; two round-trip tickets on American Airlines; and “A Dinner to Remember” for six by El Paso celebrity chef Rulis of Rulis International Kitchen.

It was a wonderful night in El Paso, and we want to extend a big THANK YOU to the volunteers, sponsors, committee, and guests who raised $26,000 for Buena Vida and foster care.

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Dallas Tornadoes 2012

Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response (LSSDR) is partnering with several other emergency assistance organizations to assist the families who have experienced damaged or destroyed homes and possessions due to the catastrophic tornadoes that swept through the Dallas area on Tuesday, April 3^rd.

Right now we are addressing the immediate, emergency needs for food, shelter, and clothing of affected individuals and families. “Our past experience with survivors of natural disasters has proven time and again that financial assistance to cover these immediate living expenses is the best way we can help,” said Mark Minick, LSS senior vice president for Disaster Response. “Additionally, we are asking for your prayers for the families whose lives have been devastated.”

LSSDR is grateful for any financial assistance to support these relief efforts at this time. The quickest and easiest avenue is to make on online donation to LSS Disaster Response.  Designate “Dallas Tornadoes 2012” in the drop-down menu.

In addition to working with LWR, Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), and other community groups, LSSDR will also be working with local congregations and the Synod and District to provide emergency grants to those who are in need.

Damage Assessment:

The Red Cross has assembled a preliminary damage assessment based on verbal conversations with field staff and emergency managers in the affected areas.  Throughout the Metroplex area the following information has been gathered: 

Destroyed	205
Major	140
Affected	301
Total	646

This will be verified with actual damage assessments, on the streets which will continue.  So far damages are in five primary locations, with Lancaster being the largest.

Additional damage assessment teams are arriving in the area to continue assessing damages and to be available if there are additional damages in other parts of the region. 

Resources: Shelter

Shelter Name	Shelter Address	City	County/ Parish	Zip
TOMMIE M ALLEN RECREATION CENTER	7071 BONNIE VIEW RD	DALLAS	DALLAS	75241
KIEST PARK RECREATION CENTER	3080 S HAMPTON RD	DALLAS	DALLAS	75224
Lancaster Recreation Center	1700 S Veterans Memorial Pky	LANCASTER	DALLAS	75134

Resources: Food

Southern Baptist Texas Convention Kitchen is set up in Lancaster to provide meals.  USDA and HEB are coordinating with SBTC for food delivery and local food banks and restaurants are supporting the initial breakfast meal.