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Donna & Tom Anderson

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Donna & Tom Anderson

We are associate members at United Lutheran in Crystal Falls.  Since retirement, we live in the UP for 6 months of the year (May-November) and in Florida the rest of the year.  We call ourselves summer birds because our primary residence is in Florida, and we come North to enjoy cooler weather. Tom’s dad was raised in Alpha, and he has lots of family in the UP. We were not aware of FLLC until we joined United.

We have been fortunate to interact with the camp counselors, attend senior camp days, participate in the quilting fundraiser, and meet the camp director and other staff.  We can see, in person, the impact these people have made on those fortunate enough to attend camp at FLLC.  Faith has grown, spirituality has grown, knowledge has grown and most importantly to us, love has grown. There is just too much discord today and people who will not open their hearts to differences. We are so happy to support this wonderful place where differences are accepted, and love prevails. Jesus taught us to love one another, and this is brought forward at FLLC.

 We like the thought of a monthly donation that will help FLLC to have guaranteed revenue each month to pay bills, especially in months when revenue from other sources is minimal. We easily set this up through our bank. Giving an amount each month helps our cash flow too!

Thank you, Donna & Tom, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Pr. Kristin Rice

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Pr. Kristin Rice

Even though it has been many years since I lived near enough to FLLC to be an active participant, the impact of this ministry and the community therein continues to make a difference. It is at FLLC where I have felt seen and loved into being again and again, as a camper, as staff, and as a visiting pastor or retreat participant. Especially now as FLLC is proactively expanding the welcome and making it abundantly known that this place of grace affirms and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, I am even more proud to claim camp as a spiritual home. Camp continues to transform the hearts and lives of people who open their spirits to the mystery and profound love of God that encompasses this place.

Now that I have the privilege of serving as a campus pastor with students at Purdue University, one of my goals is to connect these young adults to camp, Fortune Lake or any other ELCA outdoor ministry. Join the Tenacious 200 if you, like me, think about Fortune Lake frequently enough that it never feels so far away.

Thank you, Pr. Kristin, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Johnston Family

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Why, you ask, does our family support Fortune Lake as a Tenacious 200 member? After all, we live in Florida and there are 121 ELCA affiliated camps and retreat centers to support.

Well, first off, you have to experience camp. Experience joy and laughter together. A safe place of grace. Conversations over meals and in the shade of the afternoon or even in the sauna. Sharing and learning that happens. Intentional community that happens as we gather at camp–holy set apart places, as the community embodies the love of Jesus–in fun and play, as well as in bible study, skits, and silly & serious songs.

Why do we support Fortune Lake? I will admit that it took us a long time to get around to it. We support Fortune Lake because for 8 years it was the camp that the church I pastored sent kids to. For those 8 years it was a place where I went and was able to find a place of peace and time to re-set and renew. We support Fortune Lake because it is important to our family that camping remain strong in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. We know that Fortune Lake is small but mighty and our support is needed and necessary.

Maybe it is time for you too to consider joining the tenacious 200? Your support helps bring to life a vital ministry of the work we do together as God’s hands and feet in the world. A place of grace in which the love of Jesus is embodied, rest in God’s love is had, and joy in God’s love is sent out to spread to the world far and wide.

Thank you, Johnston family, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Heather Robitaille

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FLLC is forever part of my heart. Joining the Tenacious 200 was not something I thought I could afford on a single teacher salary, but when I viewed the many options, I realized I could! Now, giving back to the place that gave me so much makes my heart happy.

FLLC strengthened my faith, helped me build a closer relationship with God, and gave me a diverse extended family from across the country and around the world. One of my favorite camp songs has the lyrics, “Life should be people, all the people holding hands—forming a circle across the border of all the lands.” That is what FLLC means to me—love of others no matter our distance, likeness/differences, we are loved by God and each other.

Time and distance took me away from camp, but I was excited to visit it this past summer when camp hosted a prayer vigil for black lives. I loved that in this very rural area, there were people who understood the need for this and that touched my heart that FLLC was the venue. Due to COVID restrictions it was social distanced, but even getting to smile through a mask at FLLC family and others in attendance from a distance does a heart good. I hope to volunteer and/or make some things for this summer and summers to come.

FLLC became part of my life in 1993 when I was a camper before my freshman year of high school. God knew I needed that place of grace and the amazing accepting people there in my life after junior high and during those year to come. From 1995-2000 I was kitchen/maintenance, lifeguard, camp counselor, Arts-N-Crafts Director (ANC), and then the head cook. All of those jobs helped me along my career path, and would recommend a summer camp job to anyone! The place of grace and so many people are part of the FLLC extended family.

One day I hope for reunion time to have a beach party, campfire, chapel and/or outdoor worship time, and catching up time with the FLLC family and meeting those who work at and love FLLC whom I have not met yet.

Thank you, Heather, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Robbie Sims

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Fortune Lake has been a part of my life for almost 40 years (YIKES!) and I look forward to 40 more! I started at Fortune Lake as a Villager, was a Venturer, High School Helper (now known as LIT), worked on staff, led and attended Synod Youth Council retreats…the list goes on and on.

I believe whole heartedly in the Fortune Lake experience and attribute much of who I am today to the experiences I had at camp. Is there one staff member who really touched your life at Fortune Lake? When you are facing a tough decision, do you stop and think “What would <insert superstar staffer name here> do?” I still do that today.

The reason I became part of the Tenacious 200 is to help a place that has helped me so much continue to help others. There aren’t many people that can say one place has been a constant in their life, helps guide their decisions today, gave them some of the best friends you could have asked for and a support system that is never ending…and is kind of everywhere you look!

I am so grateful for Fortune Lake, the opportunities it has offered me, the relationships I have created there and it gives me great joy to see OUR camp providing those opportunities for another 90 years due to my contributions to the Tenacious 200!

Thank you, Robbie, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Brittney Kemppainen

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My Name is Brittney, and I am camp lifer (A camp word for people who were a camper and former camp staff).

Fortune Lake has a special place in my heart; it is one of my favorite place to be since I was a little kid. I have been coming to camp since 2002. I started my camp journey as a mini camper and grew and went through all the camp programs. I met wonderful people at camp, campers I have know since I was little, continuing to come back each summer, excited to see each other. I even worked with some of them on staff. I spent 5 wonderful summers working at camp, it was my first and favorite job. Being a counselor and giving my cabins the best experience is my favorite memory. Seeing campers come back each summer fills my heart with joy.

Camp has always been a big highlight for the summer. Every time I head to camp and drive past the canoe sign, I literally shake because I am so excited to be back at camp to be home. I have made so many great memories at camp, playing my favorite game Inherent the Kingdom, playing big games in the field, and just sitting around a campfire worshiping together. What I love about camp is you are away from the world and you get to enjoy being outside connecting with God.

I am a Tenacious 200 donor because camp has done so much for me in my life. My first summer as a mini camper I knew camp was special. After that half week, I knew I was going to work at camp. I had the best time as a camp for 11 years. When I worked at camp it was the best 5 years of my life. I grew in my faith, made a bunch of friends, and grew in my confidence. Without camp I would not have came out of my shell.

I will always remember One Blue Sky Above Us.

Thank you, Brittney, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Stefanie Ehle

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T200 Member, FLLC Summer Staff Alumni 2002 & 2003, FLLC Board of Directors, Vice President

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp holds a special place in the heart of my husband, Scott and I. We both started out as Venturer campers, then worked on summer staff during our college years. Now as adults, we eagerly return to FLLC with our children to participate in Family Camp.

After we got married, it was an easy decision to give back to the place of grace where our paths crossed and where much of our faith formation took place. We were annual givers, and when the Tenacious 200 program began, I didn’t think it mattered if FLLC continued to receive our donation once per year or if it was spread out monthly.

After being elected to the FLLC Board of Directors, I learned more about finances of camp and changed my mind. While the summer months bring busyness and excitement with energized campers and fun programming, they also bring large food bills and paychecks for summer staff. I learned that what campers pay to attend Fortune Lake covers only a portion of the expenses required to run a year-round camp. FLLC regularly relies on a line of credit to help get through the summer months, and then pays back that line of credit, with interest, during the winter months when end of the year donations come in from individuals and congregations.

The goal of the Tenacious 200 program is to provide FLLC with regular, monthly income from sustainable donors. Ministry at Fortune Lake does not happen by accident. Intentional giving is essential to keep FLLC active and relevant for future generations.

Please consider joining this program today. You don’t have to. You get to!

Thank you, Stefanie, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Dirk Manson

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T200 member, and former Board Member

I am a “johnny come lately” to the Fortune Lake Camp experience … It has been a wonderful experience to witness the dedication of other board members, staff and volunteers committed to sharing the Good News of Christ in this VERY special place…. Please consider joining the Tenacious 200 or increasing your support.  Fortune Lake is a unique, one-of-a-kind oasis of grace and joy.  Thank you for your heart and hands!!

Thank you, Dirk, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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