11/08/2011

St. Paul, Ironton and All Saints, Worthington Team Up for Annual Tools for School Giveaway

For the 7th year, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironton, Ohio teamed up with All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington to provide 1834 young people with backpacks and school supplies at their annual event called Tools 4 School.

The original event was not called Tools 4 School, but was approached as a joint effort with All Saints for clothing, school supplies, dental and hygiene supplies, etc. Through that event, and speaking with area educators, it became apparent that the greatest need was school supplies.

Recent statistics from the 2010 U.S. Census Report show that 15.5% of families inLawrenceCounty, whereSt. PaulLutheranChurchis located, live below the federal poverty level.

The members of both St. Paul and All Saints, through careful shopping and lavish generosity, removed the burden of at least part of the annual school expenses from families already struggling to keep the lights on and food on the table.

As if Tools 4 School wasn’t enough reason to come to St. Paul, other community churches have also joined in the celebration by adding a street fair called Summerfest, hosted by Ironton First United Methodist. This church provides hot dogs, face painting, music and inflatable bounce houses for all ages. First Presbyterian Church set up a booth and handed out New Testaments and local agencies gave out information about healthcare and other relevant topics. The event seems to grow every year, with more and more support from the Christian and secular community. An event designed to simply respond to a need in the community, has become a time for the community to come together to celebrate and lift up one another. Powerful.

Enjoy the photos provided by St. Paul Lutheran. Talk with your Assistant to the Bishop assigned to your area to identify ways that your congregation can partner with others locally and even in another part of the state to meet the needs of those who cannot help themselves.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40