07-04-25 Update from Mary

Friday, July 4, 2025

Happy Birthday America! Historically, the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but the vote itself actually took place two days earlier with dedicated work on this issue starting on June 7. The First Fourth of July celebrations were held in 1777 in Philadelphia and Boston. In Philadelphia, the celebration was marked with 13 gunshots from a ship’s cannon, one for each state that signed the Declaration of Independence as reported by the Pennsylvania Evening Post. In Boston, the fireworks were set off by the Sons of Liberty. The White House hosted the first 4th of July celebrations in 1801 under the Third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence. Although, there were July 4 celebrations in 1777 and each year after as America’s Birthday, July 4 formally became a federal holiday in 1870. Let Freedom Ring as people everywhere thank God for our abundant freedoms.

During July, Trials For Hope is having an extra Christmas in July Drive to gather canned meats like SPAM, Brookdale Luncheon Meat, tuna, and chicken breasts. In addition, Hunger Ministry/SPL Hunger Warriors is collecting peanut butter, grape jam, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, deodorant, soap, cookie packs, apples, cracker packs, candy, chips & pretzel snack bags, granola bars, Rice Krispie treats, and Christian literature for residents of the Madison Commons Group Home at 8001 Madison Avenue in Cleveland. Bring your donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church at 27993 Detroit Road in Westlake or drop off at the Levtzow’s garage (Southwest corner of Dover Center & Bassett Roads – 2454 Dover Center with driveway off Bassett). Thank you for already donating for this exciting Thrivent Action Team Event.

In July, Hunger Warriors are assisting with serving and providing half the cost of the Lakewood Church of the Ascension Second Thursday Partnership Meal, funding Trials For Hope serving homeless people and Our Family Home in East Cleveland meeting the needs of children and seniors, along with helping Lakewood Community Service Center and North Ridgeville Community Care Food Programs. The need is great and beyond belief; however, the dedication of COG – Community of Goodness – members to donate food items and funds to Bless our 23 food programs is God-Inspiring

God’s Word shares in Deuteronomy 15:11 (NIV): ” There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land,” and in Luke 3:11 (NIV): “John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.'” Hunger Warriors bless others in thoughts, words, and deeds…Bless your July 4 Family Activities and your loving, God-pleasing gifts to Hunger Warriors…Lovingly, Mary & Chico

St. Paul Lutheran Hunger Warriors still need Food Donations throughout the summer months; so, let us all try to bring one or two food items when we are able to attend Church this summer: peanut butter, GRAPE JAM, Stew, Corned Beef, WIDE NOODLES, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, canned vegetables, CANNED SLICED PEACHES, CEREAL, oatmeal variety packs, SPAM, canned Chicken Breast, RAMEN NOODLES, snacks for children. We need the above food items by Thursday, June 20, for the Immanuel Hunger Program Delivery. Bless you for putting the needs of others as a priority.

SPL Hunger Warriors needs food item donations. Please click the button below to see what else needs to be donated!

• January – Immanuel, Redeemer, Trinity
• February – Parma, Trials For Hope, Church of the Ascension
• March – Calvary Lutheran, New Covenant, St. John Nottingham Food Programs
• April – St. Philips Our Daily Bread
• May – Lorain Cooperative Ministry & Redeemer & Immanuel
• June - Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland – 36th Annual Walk for Hunger – Zoo
• July – Lakewood Community Service Center & North Ridgeville Community Care
• August – Westlake Assistance Program & Faith Lutheran
• September – Parma Hunger & Our Savior Mayfield Heights
• October – Royal Redeemer & Zion Painesville & Christians In Action Olmsted Falls
• November - Redeemer, Immanuel, & Trinity
• December – Christ/Our Savior, & 300 each Center (Which Means that we need $7900 in December)

May the Lord Bless and Keep You Safe as you share Jesus’ Love in your caring purchases to help SPL Hunger Warriors serve its hunger programs. Much Love In Christ’s Service, Mary & Chico.