'Tis the season to be generous
Employees of the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve in Westlake donated to both the Westlake Assistance Program's Food Cupboard and the Christmas Adopt-A-Family program. Management and staff "played Santa" by filling gift requests for two Westlake families in need. Shown are Restorative Care Dir. Brenda Cook, CEO Charles Rinne, Mission Outreach Liaison Janice Snyder, and Chaplain Jim Kulma.
December is a month when local community service organizations are in over-drive serving holiday dinners and distributing toys and food. It’s that time of year when folks are not only looking for something special for Grandma and Uncle Joe, but in the spirit of the season are also handing out charitable donations.
As long-time ministry leaders in Northeast Ohio, the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve in Westlake has once again come together to help people in need. The generosity of the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve this holiday season has been two-fold.
Under the leadership of Chaplain Jim Kulma, employees of the Westlake-based Senior Life Community enthusiastically fulfilled gift requests for two families in the Christmas Adopt-A-Family program operated by the Westlake Assistance Program. Both families are living just above the poverty line, and are struggling to make ends meet. Gifts included clothing, shoes, toys, and gift cards.
A second act of community spirit on the part of the Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve includes a significant donation of non-perishable food items to stock the Westlake Assistance Program Food Cupboard. The program helps Westlake residents experiencing difficult times meet emergency food needs.
Charles Rinne, CEO of Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve, said on behalf of management and staff, “For nearly 80 years the Lutheran Home has believed in and sustained Outreach Ministry. In response to the sobering news of great local need at this time of year, our campus has made significant donations to the Westlake Assistance Program, in order to help Westlake families in need.”
The poor state of the local economy has taken its toll on many families, and the Lutheran Home is appealing to area businesses to be even more generous at this time of year. “Even one can of food is going to make a difference to a mother and child over the holidays,” said Chaplain Kulma.