Although retail stores are trying to tell me it’s Christmas time, when I think of November, I still think of Thanksgiving. With “turkey day” just two days away, this is a good time to reflect on gratitude — for us especially, because gratitude is one of our organizational values. And for me there is no shortage of things for which to be thankful!
Today in particular, I am thankful for the two gentle, dedicated souls you see here in the photo with me.
I had the honor of surprising Ken and Muriel Greene at their church in October to celebrate their 30 years of service as LWR’s Key Leaders for the Kansas Ingathering. For three decades, they’ve faithfully arranged the truck, churches, and dates that provide local collection points for Quilts and Kits across Kansas.
Rain or shine, snow or hail, they’ve hopped into their RV — complete with an LWR magnet on the door — and followed the truck over the windy hills and plains of their state, staying the night in the host-church parking lots along the way.
The award you see us holding in the picture is the Ken & Ruth Helling Memorial Award, and the Greenes are only the second recipients. Ken and Ruth Helling also served as Key Leaders for more than 30 years in the Pacific Northwest. In their honor and memory, we created this award to lift up the tireless dedication of other Key Leaders.
The Greenes and the Hellings represent countless people who come together to assemble and transport Quilts and Kits from church basements to trucks and rail cars to our warehouses, and around the world. I’m thankful for each and every hand involved in the LWR Quilt and Kit Ministry, but today I give thanks especially for our Key Leaders. The work you do behind the scenes, your creativity with limited resources, and flexibility to troubleshoot on the spot are wonderful gifts. You help make this world a better place.
Thank you!