As a means of combating COVID isolation, Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church formed sPARK. When COVID had taken so much from everyone, it was decided that there needed to be an alternative to Vacation Bible School so children could still get together in faith. eSPARK became a program that allowed the children of these parishes to get together in a safe environment, outside in the parks. This tradition is still going strong even after the everyday threat of COVID has subsided.
Traditionally, sPARK meets during the month of June, and the group spends time on Thursday nights together. The group has been trying to do a fundraiser each summer as part of their time together. They recently held a Walk-a-Thon to raise money for ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) GOOD GIFTS. If you were to look up ELCA GOOD GIFTS, you would see that they have several options for individuals and groups to purchase things needed around the world, such as livestock, wells, Hygiene Kits, and more.
sPARK’s theme for this summer was “Living Water,” which helped give them the ideas for what they would like to purchase with the funds they would raise during their walk-a-thon. Leah Winjum from Trinity Church and a group of children who participated in the event were excited to share with us the items they were able to purchase through ELCA GOOD GIFTS. “Water wells, for people who don’t have clean water. Four Hygiene kits and six water filters.” The group was also able to provide funds toward two irrigation projects for those in need.
The walk-a-thon took place on June 19 at Crookston High School on the new outdoor track. The kids had asked for sponsors/donations for each lap they completed. With 32 participants and 30 minutes, the kids had a lot of walking to do. The kids were very proud of the number of laps they were able to complete, which was 221. Most of the kids walked anywhere from five to eight, or more laps on what was one of the warmer days of the year so far. “It was really hot.”
The children stuck close to home when asking for donations or sponsors for the walk-a-thon, and they had some strong backing: “Nancy and Bernie Perreault, Jenny Perreault, Stacy Grunewald, and Kelsey Grunewald. My Parents, my Grandparents, and my Aunt. My parents, my aunts. My Grandma, Grandpa, and my aunt.”
It was a lot of work for the kids to get those sponsors and donations and then to get out there in the heat and walk multiple laps, but it was made easier knowing the good they were doing for others, and they ended up having a lot of fun. “You got to hang out with friends and learning about God. I liked when I got splashed with water. When we got splashed with water, and when we did the little play about the boat, and when God helped us in the storm. I liked getting wet cause it was refreshing.“
With 32 participants, 30 minutes, and 221 laps completed, the dollar amount raised was $2,980. With those funds, sPARK was able to purchase;
1 water well $2500
6 water filters $180
4 Hygiene Kits $100
2 Portion Irrigation Projects =$200
Total =$2980
Winjum wants to send a huge thank you to CHS for letting them use the track and also to all those who supported this sPARK crew, as she says God’s Living Water was able to overflow from them to others across the world.
The children who were part of this interview were Cora and Lainey Lariviere, Trinity Perreault, and Nova Schubert. Thank you to their parents for allowing them to share their experience with others.