The vote is in! The Endowment Fund thanks the 229 members who voted on how the Endowment Fund annual earnings will be granted (see chart below) to deserving organizations (highlighted at bottom). Check back here later this year to see how the money was used to strengthen the Christian Gospel mission and to learn about how your gift to the Endowment Fund makes a difference.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers                       Amount Requested: $1,500

This award will fund the salaries of the youth workers in this program for the disadvantaged run by Camp Washington United Church of Christ. The program meets four days a week for eight weeks in the summer. Besides building community, developing communication skills, conflict resolution and problem solving skills, the issues of self-esteem are addressed along with learning to “love God, love neighbor and love self.” For the second year, the program will be offering at least three hours of math and reading tutoring per week.      www.washingtonucc.org

Feed My People                                                     Amount Requested: $4,000

This program provides hot, nutritious lunches for free, six days a week, all year long. In 2010, they gave away 31,000 meals. Serving Guernsey County, an Appalachian are with over 8,500 working poor, nearly every dollar they raise goes directly to the food they serve to anyone who comes through the door. They use ceramic dishes and mugs, real glasses, and real silverware to magnify the worth of the meals and fellowship they are providing. The program has been in existence since 1983 and has never had to apply for funding until this year. The program is run by the Reverend Joseph Bradley, formerly a member of Good Shepherd.     Rita@ChristsLutheran.org

Growing a Healthy Community                                         Amount Requested: $750

Obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are concerns in all communities, and especially in the African American communities. Roselawn Lutheran Church serves over 300 community residents each month during the summer. Our project is designed to help these people recognize and prepare healthy foods. Teaching tools will include: nutritional and food videos, food demonstrations and tastings, learning to read food labels, understanding the food pyramid, and lots of games and activities for kids and parents. A monthly newsletter offering both food and nutritional tips will be distributed.              www.roselawnlutheran.org

Little Hearts, Big Smiles                                           Amount Requested: $1,500

Imagine never being able to swing or slide down a slide. You can help give ALL children a chance to play! Little Hearts Big Smiles of Wilmington, Ohio is a support group for families of children with special needs. They have 2.5 acres of land dedicated for the development of a fully inclusive park. This park will exceed all ADA requirements and encourage play and learning throughout. You can help by sponsoring the double poly slide, which encourages both cooperative and competitive play. You can make a difference in the life of child by giving them the chance to play!              www.littleheartsbigsmiles.org

Transforming Jail Ministries                                 Amount Requested: $1,500

Jail is a lonely and foreboding place. Unless the inmates “find” themselves, about 1 in 3 will return to jail. Transforming Jail Ministries helps inmates “find” a faith-based reason to change their lives, like in the parable of the lost sheep. Sheriff Simon Leis, Jr. said “Of the things that I have observed that do make a difference to those involved in crime, perhaps the most effective is our jail ministry outreach program. The leadership and volunteers of TJM have served our corrections division very well.” In 2010, TJM facilitated Worship Team contact with 16,307 prisoners and 1,406 one-on-one chaplaincy contacts.              www.tjmi.org

Underground Zone                                                    Amount Requested: $2,500

At The Underground, our mission is to create a relevant and innovative place for teens to encounter the character of God through experience in music, media, and faith. The award will help fund a 3-month program for about 100 teenagers who will create professional quality media projects for their local community.  The Underground is a concert venue, a film school, a safe place to have mentoring relationships, a church partner, and a place to explore what God has called teens to in this world. In 2010 we welcomed over 35,000 people through our doors and we hope 2011 will be bigger, with your help!              www.theug.com