Thank you to all who responded to the Urgent Appeal!

The decision to send an urgent appeal letter to the congregations and friends of Crossways was a difficult, but necessary, one. The response was very heartening and affirming for this ministry and the work that is done through your camps.

Through December 15th, 421 separate gifts have been received totaling $119, 127.56. Gifts from individuals who are members of Thrivent Financial and used their GivingPlus supplemental funds benefit resulted in additional funding from Thrivent in the amount of $12,868, for a total response in the amount of $131,995.56 to date! This response has been crucial in ensuring your camps get through these difficult financial times.

As we move through the end of the fiscal year, it is very important that Crossways receives the regular financial support of congregations, organizations, and individuals who have not yet given their annual support. The support of Crossways’ Annual Fund ensures the ministry of Crossways moves forward and reaches out to serve all God’s children. Because of this support, and the support of groups like Golf For Kids (which gave $8,000 this year to help kids get to camp!) we are able to confidently say that no child is turned away from camp due to the financial inability to cover the fees.

Budget planning for 2009 is currently underway and will be presented at the Annual Meeting on February 21, 2009. The challenges of the economy and its effect on families of campers, congregations, and individuals who personally support this ministry are unknown. But we do know that God is good—all the time! We know His constant presence in all our times of joy, sorrow, and challenges gives us strength.

Crossways Camping Ministries would not be here without you and your support. Without your support we would not be able to share the Hope that God’s presence in the world brings.

Thank you for your prayers, your support, your gifts of your time and talents which ensures Crossways continues bringing people together in Christ so lives are changed.

In Christ,
Pastor Wayne Harrison, Executive Director

Dollar-for-Dollar matching funds for donations to Crossways

A wonderful opportunity that has arisen for matching funds, dollar for dollar, for gifts to Crossways that are given through the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley. Donors can live any where in the U.S., but donations need to be given ON DECEMBER 18TH, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can be given in person at five different locations in Appleton, Chilton, Shawano, Clintonville, or Waupaca or on line. Gifts given on that date will be transferred to Crossways before December 31st. This is a great way to DOUBLE gifts, especially for those who don’t have or haven’t fully used their Thrivent GivingPlus benefit. Visit the Community Foundation website for full details.

There are some limitations:

1. Maximum match per household is $1,000.
2. Each non-profit is limited to $10,000 through this special 1 day effort.
3. A total of $100,000 is available for matching money from the Community Foundation for this program. Matches will be made on a first received basis, so going on line at 7 a.m. on December 18th gives the best chance to ensure a match.
   

We would be happy to discuss with anyone how to maximize matching fund opportunities with those who haven’t used all of their Thrivent Giving Plus benefit, but are intending to give more than the maximum of either program. Donations to be matched by the Community Foundation must be made directly to the Community Foundation. Donations to be matched by Thrivent must be made directly to Crossways. The same gift cannot be matched through both programs.

All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. The donation to the Community Foundation will be reportable to the IRS as a donation to them, but the same donation will show up on your gift statement to Crossways with a note that it was received through the Community Foundation. You cannot claim it twice, however.

This is a wonderful opportunity and we hope we will be able to maximize it. We already have at least $1,700 pledged to our potential of $10,000 (possibly more).

Thanks for your help!
Pastor Wayne Harrison, Executive Director
Barb Wolf, Development Director