By Vickie Denning, Communications

Ahhhh, the embrace of a new bath towel! Ahhhh, that feeling of delight when we give a present that delights the recipient!

These two joys come together this Christmas in a Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest program for older adults. Whether you’re shopping online or in person, we invite you to pick up a new bath towel in your favorite color and bring it to the church during the month of October. A box will be placed outside the church office for easy drop-off.

“I smile when I think of these elderly men and women opening a Christmas package with a brand new, fluffy towel in it!,” said Dani Kolsrud.

Dani is one of TVLC’s Connectors with Lutheran Social Services. Dani, Kathy Renno, and Sharon Fissell help keep TVLC abreast of the projects and services offered to our community and help the TVLC community be a generous supporter of those services.

Dani recalls what “a great feeling it is to load my van with bedding, fans, cleaning supplies, and nightgowns” donated by TVLC.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest had its origins in 1970 when faith leaders, supporters, and congregations met to discuss the most prevalent needs in our communities. As the effort took shape and grew, the focus was on helping the hungry, older adults, and people with disabilities. Clothing and food banks were developed later.

The Indochinese refugee crisis gave birth to a new focus on refugee assistance with refugees arriving from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Needs were also recognized in Native American and Hispanic communities. Needs for families in transition also surfaced. In October 2019, a new program, Refugee Youth Mentor was developed to help refugee youth aged 15-24 become capable, independent, well-rounded adults.

Today Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest has more than 600 employees, a budget of over $18 million and serves approximately 75,000 individuals annually. Action and areas of service are determined by the needs of communities.

We at TVLC partner with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. We offer our hands our support, our prayers — and now new towels — to support direct needs in our community.

And, for Christmas, Dani invites us to give seniors the “opportunity to wrap themselves in a fluffy new bath towel that is interwoven with love from TVLC.”

Email Dani Kolsrud or call 520-878-8825 for more information.