Lakeview UMC closed out its 2021 formal campaign to raise funds for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity in May. The original campaign ending date was extended to May 17th to coincide with the extended due date for federal and state income taxes this year. That said, LUMC will continue to accept donations for Habitat. Any donations now collected will be added to future contributions for the organization.

Lakeview’s donation for 2021 to Habitat totals $2415. This includes a $1000 donation made by the Mission & Outreach Committee in February for a new power generator to be used on construction sites. This year’s campaign fund total is currently $1415. Overall annual giving is about $500 less than last year’s $2910. This compares with the pre-Covid total of $3284 for 2019.

Besides the complications of Covid-19 and all its accompanying impacts on church activities, e.g. lack of M&O collections at Amazing Grays and TNTs, etc., the M&O Committee also elected to move our Habitat fundraising campaign from the autumn to the spring for 2021. While these things and more worked against our Habitat campaign this year, the committee is still pleased with the results, all things considered. With Amazing Grays and TNTs just now resuming, green bucket donations for M&O should increase.

In other Habitat news, the most recent LUMC supported Habit build in Peoria was completed in April. A new homebuilding project has been underway since late March. This is expected to be completed in late August, given the shortened workdays in the summer. Lakeview hopes to also support this effort.

Mission & Outreach wishes to thank everyone for supporting Lakeview’s 2021 Habitat for Humanity campaign with their donations and prayers. The M&O Committee looks forward to a return to more normal circumstances and an active partnership with Habitat through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.

Submitted by Greg Odle