“Thank your MOM!”

That’s always good advice, but it’s extra fitting to pause for thanks and celebration when our MOM —that is, Middleton Outreach Ministry—turns 25. If MOM had not been around for the last 25 years, who would have reached out to the apartment-dwelling community as it grew exponentially in the 1980’s? How would our neighbors have coped when they needed emergency food, clothing, furniture, rides, rent assistance, financial mentoring, or just comfort and a listening ear? What if we hadn’t had 25 years of free Christmas dinners for anyone needing a place and people to share the celebration? And how many families would have missed a joyous Christmas, if MOM hadn’t been here with the “Adopt-a-Family” program?

MOM has truly made a difference in the greater Middleton area. So here’s a quiz! If you wanted to celebrate Middleton Outreach Ministry’s 25th Anniversary, which of the following would you choose?

1. A sculpture contest using cans of fruits, veggies, and soup to create works of art
2. Nine holes of golf including friends and fun prizes
3. A fine Banquet at the Holiday Inn
4. Another dinner where the food, the conversation, and a keynoter address hunger
5. A walk in the park (actually, TO the park) raising friends and funds for MOM
6. A “ya’ll come” picnic with free food from your favorite Middleton vendors
7. A celebrative worship service
8. All of the above

The correct answer, of course, is H!

An embarrassment of riches is open to all Middleton residents and friends from June 6-12. Browse the following summaries, then pick your personal favorites and reserve the dates—in ink.

A. On Saturday, May 21, “Art CAN Fight Hunger” will fill Greenway Station with amazing sculptures, each designed and built by a Middleton area group using a minimum of 500 non-perishable food items. Sculptures will be on display all day, and then will fill the too-empty shelves of the MOM Food Pantry. Award ceremonies will commence at 4:30pm . on May 21st.

B. Monday, June 6, is our 25th Anniversary Golf Event, "Heaven's Open for MOM.” Tee times vary, 1:30-3:30pm , at Pleasant View Country Club. Donate $500 to play 9 holes; golfers may instead solicit pledges from others. Contact Dietrich (826-3408) or Tom Johnson (767-3655), if you want to play golf or to sponsor a hole or a golfer.

C. June 6 th will also bring golfers and additional guests together for a great banquet at the Holiday Inn-West. The "Celebrate and Recreate a 'Legacy of Caring' for MOM" Banquet is free and the program about MOM will be inspirational, leading to an opportunity for attendees to give gifts and pledges to strengthen the long-term capacity for MOM’s outreach work in our community. No gift is too large or too small, and no gifts are required. This event begins at 5:00pm with a happy hour, with 6pm dinner and program following. Attendance is limited to 220, so early registrations are advised.

D. Thursday, June 9, brings a 7:00pm “Community Conversation on Hunger” at St. Bernard's Church to share a meal and learn about hunger in our community. Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Wisconsin Council of Churches, will keynote. No cost, but a freewill offering will be taken.

E. On Saturday, June 11, the “Walk-a-mile-in-their-shoes for MOM” walkathon will be your chance to show how much you care. This 3.75-mile walkathon begins at 10:00am Saturday, starting and ending at Fireman’s Park. Walkers gather pledges (of any size). Churches, clubs, schools, and other sponsors are encouraged to participate, carrying banners celebrating their group. Add feet to your faith—and get some great exercise with friends!

F. June 11 th at Fireman’s Park is also the place for great food and fun. At 11:30am , as the walkers return, the City-wide Picnic & Volunteer Appreciation Event will begin. This picnic will feature a food drive and free picnic lunch, as well as games and entertainment for kids of all ages, plus a chance for you to honor the MOM volunteers who have made it happen, 1980-2005.

G. Finally, on Sunday, June 12, at 4:00 pm , an ecumenical worship experience will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. "Great is Thy Faithfulness to MOM" will involve a combined choir, leaders from all 12 MOM churches, and a special guest preacher. The service will be followed by light refreshments. Contact Rev. Jim Iliff (831-4694) or Marge Gray (831-6277) to get involved.

Call MOM at 608-836-7338 for more information about any event. This website also has information, volunteer opportunities, and registration forms. See you at the celebrations!

© 2005 Middleton Outreach Ministry

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