GL_050318

More documents

Recommendations

Info

12 | May 3, 2018 | The glenview lantern news glenviewlantern.com North Shore residents send 300K seed packets to South Africa Alan P. Henry Freelance Reporter More than 3,500 North Shore adults and students opened their hearts to the poor in late April, working in shifts at Willow Creek North Shore to pack tomato seeds that will be shipped to impoverished communities in South Africa. The packets will be distributed by local churches in the country to provide thousands of families with fresh food and even a possible source of income generated from surplus produce sales. All told, participants at the Glenview church filled roughly 300,000 packets and helped the seven campuses of Willow Creek meet its goal of producing 1.2 million packets. An individual packing seeds for two hours provided food for approximately 60 families. “Everyone here is looking to do something meaningful,” said Jackie Herron-Whitfield, compassion and justice pastor. “Most people want to help people, and this is a way to do it.” This is the eighth year Willow Creek has sponsored the Celebration of Hope seed packing program, working in partnership with a network of churches in South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and El Salvador that distribute the seeds to the vulnerable in their communities. The different campuses pack seeds for tomatoes, cabbage, kale, spinach and onions. A delegation from Willow Creek North Shore recently visited South Africa to observe firsthand Apollo Stephens (left) and Christine Jereza pack tomato seeds on April 20 at Willow Creek North Shore. Photos by Alan P. Henry/22nd Century Media how the program has been working. “I love the fact that we are doing something sustainable so year after year we get to see the gardens from last years seeds,” Jan Mostrol said. She noted that many of the families have even been able to sell their products in local markets. “I get energy. I get hope. I get inspiration,” Mostrol said of the program. For many, participating in the event was a family affair. “It’s a family activity we do all together. It’s all about helping others,” said Jim Shanahan, who was packing seeds with his wife, Jen, and children Ryan and Nia. Willow Creek purchases the tomato seeds from an American company and covers the cost of transportation by ship through its global ministry budget and a special offering. The churches that receive the seeds distribute them to community and family gardens, and also plant some of the seeds in their own gardens to help feed some of South Africa’s many orphans. “I come from a poor neighborhood and I’ve been in poor situations before,” said Desy Desharnais, who was packing seeds with his wife, Anna. “This is what God wants us to do.” “This is something good to do,” Kathy Howe said. “God loves for us to share what we have with others.” Volunteers worked in two-hour shifts, averaging roughly 400 people from Thursday-Saturday, April 19-21. Packers placed a “smidge” (roughly 40) tomato seeds in paper packets. Runners took them to baggers, who placed five packets into a family pack and taped it shut. Boxers then placed 300 family packs in a box for shipping. Groups of students from Christian Heritage Academy, New Trier, Loyola, North Shore Country Day, Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South participated in the event. Also packing seeds were a wide range of area Scouts, businesses, extended families, members of other churches and various social groups looking to do good. Amy Mikal, executive pastor, was thrilled that roughly 40 percent of the participants were Desy and Anna Desharnais pitch in. not members of the Willow Creek North Shore congregation, a fact she attributes to a growing Amy Mikal, executive pastor of Willow Creek North Shore, joins the fun. public awareness of Willow Creek’s presence in Glenview. “Now that we are here, we are able to engage the community, not just the Willow Creek community,” she said.
glenviewlantern.com glenview the glenview lantern | May 3, 2018 | 13 NEW NEW NEW NEW 2317Glenview.Info 735Coronet.Info 1012RollingPass.Info 415MarvinsWay.Info PRICE CHANGE PRICE CHANGE 4643Jenna.Info 1524Pfingsten.Info 853Laurel.Info “FIND ABETTER WAY HOME.” UNDER CONTRACT 1116Dundee.Info 273Central.Info 1966Dewes.Info UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT SOLD 1665Church.Info 1542Hawthorne.Info 1616Sheridan1G.Info 385 Provident,Winnetka SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD 1671 Cabot,Glenview 940 Dundee, Northbrook 2458 WLake, Glenview 8342 Lowell,Skokie Call us today at 847.778.9952 to schedule aprivate showing. ThomasDowning Broker thomasdowning@atproperties.com Julie Schultz Broker jobschultz@atproperties.com
Page 1 and 2: ® Safety first D225 considers new
Page 3 and 4: glenviewlantern.com news the glenvi
Page 5 and 6: glenviewlantern.com glenview the gl
Page 11: glenviewlantern.com glenview the gl
Page 15 and 16: glenviewlantern.com news the glenvi
Page 27 and 28: glenviewlantern.com sound off the g
Page 29 and 30: the glenview lantern | May 3, 2018
Page 31 and 32: glenviewlantern.com life & arts the
Page 35 and 36: glenviewlantern.com life & arts the
Page 37 and 38: glenviewlantern.com dining out the
Page 39 and 40: glenviewlantern.com classifieds the
Page 41 and 42: glenviewlantern.com sports the glen

GL_050318

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?