15 Volunteers Honored by LSF

at Hillsborough County Dinner

13 October 2009 - TW

Fifteen volunteers from Lutheran Churches in Hillsborough County were honored by Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) at a Good Samaritan Dinner on Oct. 11.  The dinner was held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Tampa. 

"It was a great evening," said Lavern Franzen, LSF Development Associate, who was one of 156 people who attended along with his wife Mary Ann.

The Good Samaritan award is presented by LSF to exceptional volunteers whose faith is an extension beyond the usual and normal activities of their life and is an expression of the love of God through helping others. 

Those honored from Hillsborough County included:

• Megan Berg of Apostles Lutheran Church (ELCA)

• Nancy Chrien of St. Matthew Lutheran Church (LCMS)

• Norman and Marilyn Coe of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity (LCMS)

• Stan and Barbara Ewanowski of Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA)

• Jan Griffin of Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA)

• Gil Leimbach of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour (ELCA)

• Kelly and Diana Lyles of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (ELCA)

• Andrew Molchan of Family of Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS)

• Paula Sabo of Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA)

• Lyn Senkarik of Hope Lutheran Church (LCMS)

• Shauna N. Trower of Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS)

• Sandi Windsor of Messiah Lutheran Church (LCMS)

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Eric Tillich, new Vice President for Agency Advancement at LSF.  David Weidner brought greetings from President Greg Walton of the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  The Rev. Jon Keiser brought greetings from Bishop Edward Benoway of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The Rev. Allan Hudspith, host pastor for the event, offered the invocation.  The meal blessing was given by the Rev. John Hilmer.  LSF President and CEO Samuel Sipes presented the awards.  Special musical entertainment was provided by pianist Betty Chester and The Singers of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Temple Terrace,

A Silent Auction was also held before the dinner.  Monies raised will benefit LSF programs in Tampa Bay.

Many thanks to the Good Samaritan Awards Planning Committee for their assistance in planning and coordinating this event:  Babs Armagost, Pr. Allan Hudspith, Dianne Koenig, Marilyn Ruggiero, Sharon Mekelburg, Barbara Toepke, and Miryan Andaku.  Special thanks also go to Shirley Scheig, Linda Whitman, James Crank, Mr. Bennett and Carol Keogh.

To see the program for evening, click here.

Click here for a COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY of the event.

Lutheran Services Florida is a statewide, social services organization with more than 60 programs located across the state that assist at-risk children, the frail elderly, troubled youth and families in crisis, refugees and immigrants, homeless families, and victims of natural disasters.

 L  U  T  H  E  R  A  N         S  E  R  V  I  C  E  S         F  L  O  R  I  D  A