Teamwork helps Neighborhood House kids

The Headstart program at St. John Bosco Parish in Redford was getting a new playground unit, and the director offered the old one to Lutheran Social Services. Anna Romund, development director, thought the ACTION Thrift Store in Saginaw might be able to sell it. Jean Schluckebier, the volunteer manager of the store, jumped at the opportunity. Jean leased a truck and hired a driver to pick up the playscape – only to discover that it could not be sold because it had been purchased with federal dollars. The unit had to be donated to another federally supported project. Jean immediately called Yvonne Riggins-Thomas, director of Neighborhood House, Lutheran Social Services’ community center in Saginaw. Yvonne (in photo) recruited a group of volunteers to assemble the unit, which can be used by up to 20 children at a time.

“Our vision in ACTION is not only to provide grants from the proceeds of sales at the Thrift Store but also to coordinate the movement of merchandise and equipment to Lutheran Social Services centers,” said Jean. “Seeing the Neighborhood House children enjoying their new playground confirms our conviction that this type of teamwork strengthens our ministry.”