10,000-FT FREEFALL WITH NOTHING BUT FAITH
(and a parachute) FOR PROTECTION? NO PROBLEM!!!
(Small-town church raising big-time awareness with local tandem skydive project)
Many people make their first skydive to challenge themselves or seek thrills, but not so many jump to raise awareness for a personal cause. On Saturday, July 11th, a group of jumpers sponsored by First Lutheran Church of rural Poy Sippi will take on this challenge. Each participant has agreed to take part in a tandem skydive to provide hope for others, while strengthening their own personal faith. The goal of J3 - Jumping with Jesus in July is simple: to raise awareness about life-changing social, economic, or health-related concerns that plague our community today and to make known the help that is readily available, but often forgotten. Much like those that are struggling with their own “freefall” in life, whether it be an illness, a loss of a loved one, a financial burden or some other personal struggle, the J3 team plans to raise awareness about these issues while experiencing their own freefall… literally.
Fundraising will be achieved through sponsorships of individual skydivers that will be "jumping for a cause.” Jumpers are asking friends, co-workers and family members to financially sponsor their jump with all proceeds benefitting the charitable organization of each jumper’s choice. All pledge money will be pooled and divided evenly between the charities/causes. If a particular contributor wants to be certain their money goes to a specific cause, we will note that on the pledge sheet and make sure that happens.
FACES OF FREEFALL - Meet the J3 team!
PASTOR DAVE SIELAFF
Poy Sippi, WI
Pastor Dave was called to serve the people of First Lutheran, Poy Sippi and their neighbors in March of 2004 after completing two years of seminary training focusing on small town and rural ministry. His wife Linda is also involved in the ministry of First as part-time organist and choir accompanist.
Pastor Dave is jumping to raise awareness on behalf of the estimated 80 million Americans who have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease (i.e. high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure). He has seen way too many parishioners as well as others who have been affected by the nation’s leading cause of death. His jump for the cause became personal as he was diagnosed with coronary artery disease in early May of this year.
Did you know that in 2005 35.3% of all deaths in the United States were a result of cardiovascular disease? That’s 1 out of every 2.8 deaths! Those rates for our local counties are as follows: Green Lake - 38.4%, Waushara - 38.6% and Winnebago - 30.1%. From 1995 to 2002, death rates from CVD declined 26.4% while the actual number of deaths declined 9.6%. Although progress is being made, CDV remains the number one killer in the U.S. There is so much more that can and should be done. Please support Pastor Dave in his effort to raise awareness of the American Heart Association’s and the Appleton Heart Institute’s efforts to fight CDV.
TROY & KELLY SMITH
Neenah, WI
Troy and Kelly joined the congregation of First Lutheran Church in 2007 when they decided to return to the faith community in which Kelly was formerly baptized and confirmed. The couple lives in Neenah, but enjoys making the trek to Poy Sippi on Sundays to share in the Lord's word with Pastor Dave and the rest of their spiritual family.
Troy and Kelly are both jumping to raise awareness to help the 35 million Americans who struggle to breathe because of lung disease. Several young members of Kelly's family suffer from asthma and have been on various medications to control it. Thankfully, doctors were able to recognize the symptoms early and the families have had access to quality healthcare and medicine. So many families are not as fortunate, and they suffer for it.
Did you know that on average 74 people die from asthma every year in Wisconsin? Children under the age of 4 have the highest rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to asthma. Asthma attacks can be prevented! There is no reason for anyone to die from asthma!
Please support Kelly and Troy's efforts in sponsoring their jump to raise awareness about The American Lung Association’s efforts to fight lung disease.
BECKY LENZ
Weyauwega, WI
Becky has been a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church, having been baptized, confirmed and married in the church. Her family, which consists of her husband, DJ, and four sons, Brandon, Dakota, Justin and Brady, will all be standing by proudly as she takes the daring leap of faith. Formerly employed at the Waupaca County Jail, Becky is finishing up her final semester at Fox Valley Technical College with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Becky is jumping to raise awareness of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and their mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. Did you know that since 1980 (the year MADD was founded), alcohol-related traffic fatalities have decreased by over 47%, from over 30,000 to fewer than 16,000 and MADD has helped save over 358,000 lives? A first time drunk driving offender on average has driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested. Alcohol is the No. 1 drug problem among our youth. In 2007 the average age at first alcohol use was 16.8 years! Please help Becky raise awareness of this devastating issue and the efforts of MADD by supporting her in her jump.
DEBBIE SMITH
Racine, WI
Debbie been a member of First since baptized there many years ago, and participated in various levels of the church growing up, and then as an adult on the council, youth leader, Sunday School teacher. In 1987 she moved to Racine, which is where she resides with her husband Scott and daughter Abbey. First Lutheran will always be home because it is where her family roots are.
Debbie has wanted to skydive since she was 12 years old watching “Rip Cord” on television. It is on her “Bucket List”, and this challenge provided her an opportunity to take action and have a one-on-one experience with God like no other. Debbie is thrilled and excited!
Debbie is jumping for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Her reason is that the story of Susan has provided many friends of hers the strength to get beyond this illness and to become a survivor. Her friend and neighbor is doing the 60 mile Avon Walk for a Cure in August, and she felt this would be a wonderful way to support her and an outstanding cause.
Did you know, not counting some kinds of skin cancer; breast cancer in the United States is the most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity?
In 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available):
· 186,467 women and 1,764 men developed breast cancer
· 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer
Please support Debbie in her efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer and the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cureâ to eradicate this deadly disease.
JACOB NITZKE
Poy Sippi, WI
Jacob is 17 years old and just finished his junior year at Berlin High School. He is a lifelong member of First Lutheran church of Poy Sippi and is one of the ten that will be taking the leap of faith on July 11th. Jacob is not normally a risk taker; in fact this will be his first time that he will be in an airplane! He is doing this leap of faith because of Pastor Dave's sermon on Easter. He inspired Jacob to step out of his comfort zone and put his trust in God. Jacob watched the video on the website and thought it looked pretty cool. He’s probably going to be scared to death throughout the entire jump, but it will be worth it.
Jacob is raising awareness and money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude was founded by actor Danny Thomas and is a hospital that treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. He chose St. Jude because First Lutheran does a bike-a-thon every year, and he has been participating in some way since he was 6. It is a good cause because it helps all children no matter what their financial situation is. Jacob is looking forward to taking his leap of faith, and he knows that it will be a life changing experience.
Did you know that on average, 5400 active patients visit the hospital each year, most of who are treated on an outpatient basis? St. Jude is the only pediatric research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. In 1962 when St. Jude opened, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4%. Today the survival rate for this once deadly disease is 94% thanks to research and treatment protocols developed at St. Jude. The daily operating cost for St. Jude is nearly $1.4 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions. Please consider supporting Jacob in his efforts to increase awareness of childhood cancer and the great work being done at St. Jude.
AMANDA DEPPE
Redgranite, WI
Amanda has been a lifelong member of First Lutheran and since her confirmation has taught several Sunday school and VBS classes, and was a member of the council as a youth representative. The past two summers Amanda served as part of the Crossways Camping Ministries summer staff as a camp counselor at Pine Lake Camp. She was able to share her faith with many campers and fellow staff throughout the season. Working at camp has encouraged her to take more “leaps of faith” in her everyday life.
Amanda is jumping to raise awareness for the growing number of cancer cases each year. In the United States over 1,000,000 new cases of cancer are expected to be reported in 2009, with over 27,000 of those being found in Wisconsin. Several members of Amanda’s family and close family friends have been diagnosed and treated for various forms of cancer. Although cancer is found primarily in persons over the age of 55 it is also found in the very young.
Did you know that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide? Wisconsin has the 24th highest overall cancer incidence rate within the United States. In 2008, 692,000 women were estimated to have cancer with the top three being Breast, Lung and Colon. In 2008, 745,180 men were estimated to have cancer, with the top three being Prostate, Lung and Colon cancers. With growing technology and procedures doctors and researchers have been able to increase the average survival rate to 66%! Please help support Amanda’s efforts by sponsoring her jump to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society and their efforts to find a cure for cancer.
TARA McPEAK & JOYCE JORGENSEN
Tustin, WI Poy Sippi, WI
A.K.A. Sister Act
Tara writes: “My sister and I have been members of First Lutheran for some time now. She was married there and when I moved closer I knew immediately that’s where I belonged. My sister surprised me with the jump, I never would expect her to do this but she asked me to jump and it’s on my bucket list so I gladly agreed. Who wouldn’t want to see their sister jump from a plane? We sisters have cared for our grandmother for many years now and never regret a moment we spend with her. She has been an important part of our lives and never once hesitated caring for our children or us. We care for her due to Alzheimer’s disease and have been blessed to keep her in her own home. Most of the time she does not know us, but we try to remember better times and the woman she was.
When my grandfather passed away my sister lived with her until years later when she married. It was difficult for them to be apart, they are very close and Joyce did everything with grandma. We are jumping for the Alzheimer’s Association with our grandma in mind, I wish she could come and see us, she would never believe it.”
Did you know?
· As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s.
· Alzheimer's and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older.
· Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
· Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death.
· The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.
LIZ BECHARD
Liz Bechard is an Americorps member who works with the after school programs at Wautoma’s Middle School. She and Pastor Dave are members of Waushara County’s Prevention Council. In early May when Pastor Dave proposed the skydivers jump for a cause, she immediately responded ‘I’m gonna jump with you.” Due to some unforeseen circumstances Liz will not be jumping with the J3 Team. However, she intends to find a replacement among her fellow Americorps members.
Liz’s replacement will jump as she intended to bring awareness to Americorps. Americorps is a network of three programs – Americorps State and National, Americorps VISTA, and Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) – that each year supports the engagement of Americans in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other areas.
Did you know that in 2005 nearly 75,000 Americorps members served 62.4 million hours and recruited/managed 1,376,194 community volunteers? Seventy two per cent of Americorps members continue to volunteer in their communities after their term of service ends and 87% of former Americorps members accepted public service employment (including governmental and nonprofit work) within three years after completing their Americorps service. Each year Americorps leverages more than $200 million in matching funds from non-federal sources to support members and programs.
For those who have chosen to remain “grounded” and help cheer on the team as they put their spiritual identity to the test, there will be plenty of fun activities on land during the J3 Leaping Launch Party starting at 1pm, including music provided by DJ Ray. We encourage all supporters to come out and join hands for this exciting and worthy cause! The J3 - Jumping with Jesus in July event will take place at Sky Dive Adventure just east of Omro and is being hosted by First Lutheran Church of Poy Sippi.
We hope to see you there!
(In the case of inclement weather, a rain date of Sunday, July 12th is scheduled)
