Fund the last hope for some
SPIRIT OF HOPE FUND
A single mom and her two young adult children all worked to make ends meet. They paid their bills and lived in a home they rented together.
They got by - until two summers ago.
The mom was struck by a vehicle and was left with a brain injury. She tried to continue to work, but eventually was let go. She had difficulty receiving workers' compensation. Through this difficult time, the family fell behind.
They didn't know how they were going to pull through and pay rent. Thanks to a local church and the Spirit of Hope fund the family was able to remain in their home.
How to help
To make a donation to the Spirit of Hope fund, write a check to the fund and send it to the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation at P.O. Box 855, Nisswa, MN 56468.
The Spirit of Hope fund also helped Jade Hagberg, a sophomore at Brainerd High School, obtain his driver's license. Hagberg, who has a hearing impairment, needed a license so he could continue to go to school and to go to his band lessons. Hagberg has aspirations to be a musician one day.
Hagberg was riding to school with his cousin, but his cousin graduated last year. His family didn't have the financial means to pay for the driver's training, so the Spirit of Hope stepped in.
These are two examples of how the Spirit of Hope fund helped people in need, said Mike Burton, coordinator of the fund of the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation. Burton said the purpose of the fund is to help people by preventing a financial emergency from developing into a financial crisis. The fund is not intended to be used to address an ongoing problem.
Burton said people who qualify for this fund often are overlooked as they usually don't qualify for assistance from other charities or organizations. Or he said a family can't wait for the time it takes to get help from another organization and the emergency becomes a crisis for them.
"There are many great programs around to help and they all do tremendous work," said Burton. "But this fund is of an emergency nature. It's flexible and people don't have to go through a complicated process to get help."
The Spirit of Hope fund helped Jade Hagberg, a sophomore at Brainerd High School, obtain his driver's license. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.
Since the Spirit of Hope fund began in fall of 2004, it has helped more than 100 people. Burton said the Salvation Army and Bridges of Hope in Brainerd facilitate the fund.
Tami Lueck, director of Bridges of Hope in Brainerd, said the community doesn't always have the resources to help someone in an emergency situation. She said this fund helps address individual, specialized needs.
"This money is to help give individuals and families some hope," said Lueck. "And to help them get over that hurdle they're facing. It helps them maintain during that period to avoid a crisis."
Bonnie Sahf, Salvation Army family services coordinator, said the fund is helpful because of its flexibility.
The Spirit of Hope fund is used for various one-time needs, such as a medical emergency or car repair. The fund also has been used to pay for college application fees and driver's education training.
A Spirit of Hope Committee helps gather donations for the fund. Committee members are Bonnie Cumberland, Darlene and Ron Schaefer, Rodney Converse, Mark Ronnei, Margaret Thelen, LaVonne Danzl and John Sullivan.
Currently the fund is down to $521.42. Financial contributions are needed.
Darlene and Ron Schaefer said this fund is critical because there are people in need all the time.
"My wife and I have been involved in this from the very start and we're very supportive of it because it caters to the very basic human needs, nothing frivolous," said Ron Schaefer. "When people are down and out and desperate, we're here to help. This fund is near and dear to our hearts."
Cumberland agreed and said there are plenty of families who need help for emergencies.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.