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Car Care Ministry provides wheels for another neighborBy MaryHelen Swanson You have to have a car to get around in rural Minnesota, and it has to be reliable. The congregation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Almelund clearly understands this need. And they are working with Communities Investing in Families and the Chisago County Health and Human Services Department in a Car Care Ministry to get reliable vehicles to those who really need them. The program was a dream of the church members for some time, but only got off the ground last March. Last week, the folks involved in the program were pleased to present the title and keys for the seventh car since the program started. The Car Care Ministry is successful because of many people. It starts with those who have coordinated the program including Marty Harding of Communities Investing in Families, Pastor Brian Bergin of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Chris Johnson at Chisago County Health and Human Services and Randy Parker, owner of Parker Auto Repair in Almelund. And then it involves those who willingly donate cars. He donates all the labor, the church pays for parts at Parkerís cost. Typical cars donated are 1990 or newer, preferably vans or four-door type, family vehicles. A car that might not be suitable for a family, Harding said, can also be donated. It can be sold and the money used for paying for the parts. Donations of money are also accepted, again to use for the parts. The recipient of each vehicle is decided upon by Chisago County Health and Human Services who looks for people who are working hard but might not have a car or whose present vehicle might be on its last leg. Costly car repairs put a major crimp in a familyís budget. Pastor Bergin said the program works well following the St. Paul Area Synodís latest initiative, that of ending poverty in the synodís area by 2010. That area covers not only the St. Paul metropolitan area, but as far south as Rochester and as far north as Rush Point. It is the first program of its kind in the northern part of the synod. Programs like it have been successful in the Stillwater and Lake Elmo areas for years, Bergin said. Harding said it just took somebody to get involved and Immanuel Lutheran accepted the challenge. She said she hopes other churches can start a program also. The car that was ready for an owner last week was a 1984 Mercury Topaz, a little older than theyíd like to receive for the program. However, it was in good condition and has only 60, 000 miles on it. A smiling Christina Sundeen of Rush City drove away in the car Wednesday. To make a tax-deductible donation, call Immanuel Lutheran Church at (651) 583-2340 or Randy Parker at (651) 583-2040. ©ECM Post Review |