Roseville Lutheran and Bridging Celebrate Fifteen Years of Partnership
By Pastor Marty Wyatt and Joel Bisser
Through their annual dresser build events and numerous blanket and kitchen item drives and Sharing Tree, Roseville Lutheran has partnered with Bridging since Bridging joined the Roseville community 15 years ago!
Pastor Marty Wyatt says, “Our mission at Roseville Lutheran is to “love God and love our neighbor, and one way to love our neighbor is to make sure that they thrive in their homes. This is part of Bridging’s mission— that people have what they need to be successful and comfortable at home. By ensuring that people have what they need, they can focus on thriving instead of just surviving.”
Roseville Lutheran’s commitment over the years has involved not only the adults in the congregation, but also the kids.
“Often people say that kids are the future, but kids are the right now,” says Pastor Marty.
Every January, the kids that go through confirmation participate in Bridging’s dresser build event on Wednesday evening, and then the rest of the intergenerational congregation joins the kids after Sunday services to build more dressers on the following Sunday.
Roseville Lutheran has sponsored an average of 50 dressers per year over the past 15 years!
It is wonderful to see the Sunday School students and their families work together. Not only are they doing a good deed, but they are also learning teamwork, problem solving, and building their confidence.
Pastor Marty reflects on the greater good that participating provides: “Volunteering teaches people that they have something to give to others and that they can, and should, give to others. They are never too young or too little to participate. Even our preschoolers built dressers this year!”
Bridging is grateful for its ongoing partnership with Roseville Lutheran and the commitment they have to serve and give not only to Bridging but also for other non-profit organizations and the surrounding community as well.
Pastor Marty reminds us of the impact that we all can have: “In a world where problems often seem overwhelming, it is so important to remember that every single one of us can do something to help someone and make the world or the community better. Each of us can make a difference in the life of someone-whether it’s by making a dresser or offering a smile.”
To learn more about the Top 5 Benefits of Group Volunteering, please check out our blog!
Interested in sponsoring your own fun-filled dresser build event? Check out our Dresser Build project guide.