Our next Caregiver Support virtual event, Floral Design Class, is on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Once again, our friends at Applegate & Dillman have extended the invitation for LCFS supporters to join them for these virtual experiences. This month, we will be learning about floral design in celebration of Mother's Day! RSVP to Anna at Applegate-Dillman at anna@applegate-dillman.org. She will send you the Zoom link and make sure the supplies are delivered right to your door! Please join us for friends, fun, and fellowship!

We initiated this series in November, 2020, with the virtual "Bowl of Comfort" Cooking Class. In December, we shared a Christmas Ornament Decorating class and in January, Journaling 101 was the topic. The fun continued with a candy making experience in February, Music Therapy in March, and a Spring Wreath making class in April. If you missed these events, see the recently completed events section for more details.

We are planning a series of virtual events to support caregivers in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information!

Want to get out this spring with your friends and family and help LCFS raise funds for the new Pando Permanent Supportive Housing program? The Kind Walk/Run/Bike event is a great opportunity to do just that! The event will be at White River State Park on May 22, 2021. Save the date - and stay tuned to our social media, website and weekly e-mail updates. Registration information will be coming soon!

For more information, e-mail us at events@lutheranfamily.org

In collaboration with Applegate & Dillman Elder Law, our three-part virtual series - Planning for Senior living - was offerred on April 7, 14, and 21 at 11:00 a.m. Click the link above to view the presentation for part 3 on YouTube.

PART 3: Advanced Directives, Asset Protection and Crisis Plans

Do you know what legal documents you need to have in place for you and your loved ones? You should! Join Attorney Lisa Dillman of Applegate & Dillman Elder Law for a seminar exploring how you can plan for your family's future. Whether you are planning early with young children at home, planning for retirement, have health concerns requiring you to take action immediately (long-term care planning) or caregiving for someone that needs assistance, this seminar will help you plan and learn more about the documents you need to have in place.

Join Attorney Lisa Dillman with Applegate & Dillman Elder Law to explore the basics of planning and provide real-life scenarios to help attendees understand how planning can save their family time, money, and emotional energy.

Topics will include:
• Wills vs. Trusts
• POA vs. Guardianship
• Probate Avoidance Plans
• Asset Protection Plans
• Crisis Plans

In collaboration with Applegate & Dillman Elder Law, LCFS offered a three-part virtual series - Planning for Senior Living. Click the link above to view the presentation for part 2 on YouTube.

PART 2: Understanding the Continuum of Care & Options for Downsizing

When: Wednesday, April 14th from 11am – 12pm
Where: Zoom
Speaker: Carol Applegate, RN, JD & Laura Roman of Westminster Village

The decision to downsize, where to live and how to plan for future needs can be an emotional and overwhelming step in the third chapter of life. While we know we need to make the decision, we often don’t know where to begin. During this session, Carol and Laura will discuss:

- Planning for where to live based on age, health, safety, social and financial considerations
- Understanding the Continuum of Care
- Aging in Place vs. Continuing Care Retirement Communities

PART 1: Life Care Planning: Your Personalized Road Map for Aging occurred on Wednesday, April 7th from 11am – 12pm on Zoom. Click the link above to view the video on YouTube.

There are many moving parts to growing older, and it can be overwhelming for families to navigate this chapter of life alone. A Life Care Plan provides you and your family a personalized roadmap to navigate the medical, legal and financial challenges of growing older. Presenter Carol Applegate, RN, JD provided a presentation and open forum discussion.

During this seminar, Carol discussed:

- What a Life Care Plan is and why it is important
- What it means to navigate aging alone vs. with a Life Care team
- Real life case studies on how a Life Care Plan has impacted families

Did you miss this series? Click on the links for each session to view the recorded session on YouTube!

Once again, our friends at Applegate & Dillman extended the invitation for LCFS supporters to join them for these virtual experiences. In March, the program had a special guest - Board Certified Music Therapist Allegra Hein - to share about the benefits of music to our mental and physical health. In April, we were joined by Kimberly Wilson from Marquette Manor, who provides the materials and instructions to make a spring wreath.

If you missed these events, we are planning additional opportunities to support caregivers in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information!

Sven had his second Spiritual Walk at Ft. Harrison State Park on April 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. If you are interested in future walks, please contact him by e-mail at sschumacher@lutheranfamily.org

On Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. LCFS hosted a virtual Yoga Wellness Experience presented by The Hot Room. The program began with a short welcome from LCFS to share a little information about the Lutherwood Society and then moved directly into the class. This was great opportunity to learn about our Giving Club and also explore new strategies to help relieve daily stress!

In February, the group was able to learn how to make a very delicious toffee, just in time for Valentine's Day! We are so grateful to our friends at Applegate & Dillman for sharing their time and skills and inviting LCFS supporters to join them in this virtual experience. If you missed this activity, please join us for future virtual events!

In January, the program focused on journaling presented by author Penny Davis. According to Michigan State University, "There are many benefits to journaling. It is an often studied, evidence-based strategy for reducing the effects of anxiety from difficult emotions, whether they stem from stress-inducing times like a global pandemic or simply everyday life." Thanks again to our friends at Applegate & Dillman for inviting LCFS supporters to join them in this virtual experience. If you missed this activity, please join us for future virtual events!

Our second event in the Caregiver Support series was on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Once again, our friends at Applegate & Dillman extended the invitation for LCFS supporters to join them in a virtual experience. The program was an ornament decorating class. Individuals who RSVP'd by December 7, 2020 were sent a FREE ornament to decorate courtesy of Applegate & Dillman!

Sven hit the trail again in 2020! While past challenge walks have been in Europe, this year he is stayed a little closer to home and walked Tecumseh's Trail through Southern Indiana in September, October, and November 2020.

This year, Sven dedicated his walk to Christel DeHaan, who passed away earlier this year. Christel was a strong supporter of Sven's challenge walks which raise funds to support the Sharing Place Food Pantry.

For more information, please contact us at develop@lutheranfamily.org to learn more!

Our first virtual presentation for our caregiver support series was held Monday 11/23/20 at 11:00 am. In collaboration with Applegate & Dillman Elder Law, LCFS hopes to offer a series of virtual events in the coming months to support our friends who are caregivers for their families.

Our friends at Applegate & Dillman offered the virtual "Bowl of Comfort" Cooking Class. This was an opportunity to make your own batch of Potato Soup - perfect for these chilly fall days - and learn some self-care tips to help you and your loved ones cope with stress over the holidays. If you missed this opportunity - you can still make yourself some soup - just click on the link above for the recipe.

LCFS celebrated our newest program - Pando Aspen Grove of Community Heights (Pando) with a ground breaking ceremony on November 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

Pando is a Permanent Supportive Housing Program to serve youth ages 18-24 who have experienced homelessness. LCFS will prioritize serving youth who have been involved in the foster care/child welfare system. Did you miss this event? Watch it now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t7NvMXrYGw&feature=youtu.be

For more information about the Pando program , please e-mail us at info@lutheranfamily.org.

On 9/18/20 LCFS had our first ever "virtual" event - "Celebrating LCFS Volunteers!"

Due to COVID-19 safety precautions LCFS opted to honor our volunteers through a virtual event rather than our traditional volunteer luncheon. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Sharing Place Food Pantry. Special thanks to our event sponsors: Servants of Christ Lutheran Church, Bose McKinney & Evans, and Anthem.

Learn about the event on our special "Celebrating LCFS Volunteers" webpage https://www.lutheranfamily.org/celebrating-lcfs-volunteers/celebrating-lcfs-volunteers.html

For more information, contact us at Events@lutheranfamily.org