$5,000 Commitment! A huge shout out from the Lois' Lodge team to the Marty Tomberlin Sunday School Class at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. During a planning dinner last night, this class committed to raising $5,000+ for our capital campaign. Thank you! We need 199 more groups and classes to make this commitment. How about yours?

1000 x 1000 Campaign Fundraising Tips- The Bake Sale

The Best Bake Sale Ever

(from The Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook by Barbara Grunes)

Fund raising plans come and go, but the bake sale perseveres. Sweet baked good for sale remind us of parties in the gym, the senior trip to Washington DC, or raising money for a new church roof. If you are busy as most people these days, it may be tempting to just pick up some cookies at the grocery store. But how much more meaningful it is to bake something, to show off your baking skills and teach them to your children (or your nieces and nephews or your friend’s children; or even the Lois’ Lodge moms).

Tips for Bake Sales:

Presentation. Looks count. While pretty presentation isn’t mandatory, it will help your baked treats sell faster, and maybe even fetch a premium price.

Portability. Dragging a lemon meringue pie off to the bake sale just doesn’t cut it, and don’t even think about letting chocolate mousse sit out in the gym for 2 hours. If it isn’t portable and doesn’t hold up well under variable conditions, don’t make it.

Portions. The same church ladies who normally cut 2 inch brownies into quarters to avoid eating a real dessert will throw fat and calories out the window when they’re buying brownies at a bake sale. Forget petite- that brownie had better look like it’s worth paying for. While you can sell a plate of smaller cookies or brownies, selling items by the piece usually yields better profits.

Familiarity. Bake sale foods tend to be old favorites, the sorts of items our mothers or grandmothers or aunts baked for school or church events: cherry pie, angel food cake, sugar cookies, brownies. People relate warmly to family connections and wax nostalgic about the kind of baking they rarely do themselves. Labeling a desert “Grandma’s Lemon Squares” or “Aunt Lucy’s Famous Apple Pie” always sparks interest, especially if you have a good story to accompany the recipe.

Shawpkins Community Group Praying for Lois' Lodge

Lois' Lodge sends a huge THANK YOU to the Shawpkins Community Group from Elevation Church who is spending time at Lois' Lodge this evening praying for our staff, our residents, our capital campaign and various other prayer requests. This group of brothers and sisters in Christ sincerely believes in the power of prayer. We are honored to have them on our team.

Use Your Tax Refund to Help Lois' Lodge

Consider using your tax refund to help Lois' Lodge. Not only can you feel good about helping us with our capital campaign, you may also be able to deduct the amount donated on next year's tax return. Your tax adviser can help you take advantage of tax breaks related to charitable donations. And don't forget to apply for a matching contribution from your employer. Lois' Lodge is a 501C3 organization. EIN# 56-2077047. Thank you!

New Resident

A new mom-to-be moved in last night and we are at capacity! Please pray for our girls, volunteers and staff, that the Lord will blanket our residents and their babies with the love of Christ.

100 Ways to Raise $100 for Lois' Lodge

Ready to help? We have the tools you need. Check out the new 100 Ways to Raise $100 page on the Lois' Lodge website!

Letter from the Lois' Lodge Board of Directors

January 13, 2010

“The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety. Nothing bad will happen to you; no disaster will come to your home.”
Psalm 91:9-10

Dear Friends of Lois’ Lodge,

As a valued part of the inner circle of our ministry, we want to keep you informed about Lois’ Lodge. This past year was a lean year for us, just as it was for most other non-profits. In spite of some financial belt-tightening, the maternity home continues to operate soundly on a day-to-day basis, and stays at or near capacity. The needs of the mothers in our care are being consistently met, both spiritually and financially. This is due to the faithful support of donors and volunteers and the solid management of our resources by the Lois’ Lodge staff.

Late last year, Lois’ Lodge found itself in a critical situation. For the past few years, we have been blessed with rent-free facilities in the Dillworth area, but this arrangement must now change. As a result, Lois’ Lodge has the opportunity – and immense challenge – of purchasing these properties within six months. The Lodge must cease operations here if we cannot purchase the property by July. Although the homes are reasonably priced, the total cost will be $1.1 million. This is an unprecedented amount of capital to be raised in an extremely short time frame. We know that God is greater than our challenges, and we look to Him for an amazing victory.

The Board of Lois’ Lodge is reaching out to you at this time for one reason: Support.

Unwavering support may take many forms, with the most important being prayer. Please pray for the young women who come through our doors, for the staff and volunteers who reflect God’s grace to them on a daily basis, and for our fundraising efforts. Although the goal seems overwhelming, we have faith in God’s ability to save the Lodge.

Please watch for our upcoming special Lois’ Lodge newsletter, which will give more details and lots of ideas on how you can join in saving the Lodge. God’s hand will be readily seen through your faithful support.

May God strengthen us for His use,

Members of Lois’ Lodge Board of Directors:

John Marx, President
Falinda Farley
Kathi Ingrish
Gwen Johnson
Zeritha McFadden
Deana Kocylowsky
Verne Phifer

PS: If you would like to sign up to be on the Lois' Lodge mailing list or receive additional information regarding ministry needs please contact ericloislodge@aol.com or call us at 704-376-8550.