January 2024: Anneliese Eddy and Wayne “Rolo” Bue
Congratulations to Anneliese Eddy, a wonderful recipient of January God’s Helper award. Anneliese is a member of ELC and is the co-founder of the Black River Area Foster Closet. The Black River Area Foster Closet is a local resource for families who are providing care to foster children. The mission is to offer a free resource to support caregivers of children in foster care by providing clothing and other necessities.
“The idea of starting a foster closet in Black River Falls originated after realizing there were no resources locally to assist foster families in fulfilling basic needs”, shared Anneliese. “Other surrounding communities with larger populations had shown success with integrating free resources to foster families. Modeled after these positive experiences, the Black River Area Foster Closet was created to support local foster families.”
In the summer of 2021, ELC offered space in the lower level of the Sunday school building to create a home for the Black River Area Foster Closet. After receiving a startup grant from the Black River Area Foundation, the space was transformed into an organized system of shelves and bins that would later be filled with donations. During the first few months, essential items including clothes, diapers/wipes, safety gear, and baby supplies started to fill the shelves. As time progressed, partnerships were made with various local businesses, organizations, churches, and community groups. These partnerships further supported the mission and provided for enhanced growth and opportunity. In October 2021 the Black River Area Foster Closet officially opened and started serving licensed foster care providers, respite providers, and kinship families in Black River Falls and surrounding areas.
Since opening in October 2021, the closet has expanded in numerous ways. The physical space has grown to add additional rooms including a sorting room, a room for fall/winter clothing, a room for summer/spring clothing, and a room for baby equipment. In addition, a teen shopping room was created to enhance the shopping experience for the older children and teenagers. Aside from expanding the physical space, additional programs were created to assist foster families in other ways. The programs include free haircut vouchers, financial assistance with sporting and recreational fees, and a partnership with the “Mighty Table.” The “Mighty Table” is also a community outreach program supported by ELC to cook and deliver weekly meals to foster families.
To help, additional volunteers are needed when preparing the Foster Closet for special shopping events and re-stocking once the events have ended. For closet news and to learn more about the foster closet, follow their Facebook page @Black River Area Foster Closet or visit their website www.Blackriverareafostercloset.squarespace.com.
Although extremely busy with a young family, Annaliese is also a member of the ELC Worship Band. “The band brings me great joy as I love listening to and singing worship music. I am interested in teaching Sunday school in the future, and maybe even joining the new worship choir”, said Annaliese. “Volunteering with ELC in various roles has been a welcoming experience. I hope to continue being involved for many years to come.”
We are so grateful for the many ways that Annaliese gives back to our church and community. Thanks be to God for these gifts.
Congratulations to Wayne Bue, otherwise known as “Rolo”. Rolo is the other January God’s Helper recipient. Pastor Jenny nominated Rolo as he is the faithful assistant to his wife, Beth, and is always willing to help out in any way possible. According to Rolo, “It is always fun to get to help out with projects that involve the kids at church. I try to be as positive as possible and work through any issue that may arise”.
Currently, Rolo is helping with our confirmation students and is working with the youth to decorate one of the elderly living spaces. “This is a good way to give back for everything we are fortunate to have received”, shared Rolo.
He also recently attended the Men’s Bible study and says “while it is still new to some, I think this is a great opportunity for any person in our church to get involved and do something even if it is small in nature.”
Volunteering is a way of life for Beth and Rolo and say they enjoy giving back as it is a small thank you for those who also have helped them along the way. We are so blessed that God brought Beth and Rolo into our lives! Thanks be to God!!