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* Today is Giving Tuesday, and I have a story to tell.
A few years ago, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois told me they wanted to give me an award for raising them some money and highlighting their good works. I thanked them for the nice gesture, but said I wasn’t really into that sort of thing. I eventually told them I would accept it only if I could dedicate the evening to Lynn Greenholdt.
Lynn was my former sister-in-law who passed away in 2014 after a bout with cancer. At one time, Lynn ran an LSSI group home for teen boys. I knew what LSSI was at the time, but Lynn showed me what the organization was really about. The kids were from troubled backgrounds, but you could truly feel the love in that home. I was beyond impressed by the work Lynn and LSSI were doing.
Later, Lynn started a small business which supplied family-style meals to LSSI’s group homes, but she constantly struggled because the state had such horrible problems paying vendors on time. I had written about the bill backlog, but Lynn’s experience showed me how the backlog did so much harm to small businesses.
A big part of my speech at that awards ceremony was about Lynn’s work and how it had informed my own views. At the end, I asked everyone to turn around in their chairs. The LSSI folks staged it so that Lynn’s dad Hank was standing on another stage at the opposite end of the room under a large projected photo of his late daughter. Hank then sang a song in her memory: Sinatra’s “My Way.”
It was a powerful moment.
* All those memories came rushing back the weekend before Thanksgiving when Lynn’s sister Kathy performed a song in Chicago which she wrote not long after Lynn died…
Wow.
Lynn was such a remarkable person. She was fun, smart, caring and strong. As you can tell from Kathy’s song, we all leaned on her.
After the show, I told Kathy that I’d like to use that song about Lynn to kick off our annual LSSI fundraising drive. She loved the idea. So, I’m gonna lean on Lynn’s strength one more time.
* We raise money every year on this website to help Lutheran Social Services of Illinois buy Christmas presents for foster kids. LSSI currently has 2,530 children in its foster care network, and each present costs about $25. Others donate toys and/or help the group raise money, but all of us have become an essential part of LSSI’s annual effort. Please, click here to help.
I’ll match the first $2,000. Let’s help those kids!
*** UPDATE *** I was busy doing other things and didn’t notice we had already surpassed $2,000 in contributions and were actually closing in on $3,000. So, I made my promised donation. Thanks to all! Let’s keep it up! Please, click here.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 9:11 am
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You would be amazed by the impact of a gift when a kid is in a challenging situation. I work with a children’s charity that does stuff with pediatric hospital patients and a gift makes a world of difference.
Thanks for doing this again Rich.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 9:31 am
Beautiful.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 9:57 am
Capt Fax is on point that this is great cause. It is truly amazing how many email pitches have arrived this a.m. for Day of Giving. Not sure how everyone makes their charitable giving decision, but it is not hard to put this at the top of the list.
Comment by Annon'in Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 10:14 am
very touching. thank you.
Comment by flea Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 11:28 am
Wow. Speechless. Wow.
To the post overall, thank you, Rich, for your sharing of your voice, lessons, and the ability to make others look at themselves and reflect on what more can be done, which you do here for me.
The true meaning of the season, giving, is far greater than even the tangible gifts that will be bought because the gifts are more than toys they are sharing love in these instances for children and letting them know the world can be a caring and wonderful place.
Your heart, Rich, is big, the love your are spreading is vast and deep for these children at this time of year. You’re a good soul, thank you for sharing your heart with us, and so many.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 1:16 pm
Very touching, Rich.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 1:41 pm
Happy to help, Rich.
I would not have been familiar with LSSI had I not begun to read your blog. There are so many good causes (my email is blowing up with Giving Tuesday solicitations), and of course I have charities that are close to my heart. I look at this not only as a contribution to LSSI, but a token of thanks for the work that you do. Thanks for being here.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Nov 28, 23 @ 3:30 pm