CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
I intentionally have not deleted the former months "thank yous" from those who are involved in each of the campgrounds noted below, because I want each of you to know how much the work and effort you put into each of the campgrounds, etc. are truly appreciated.
Thanks to each of you, Dee Ann Crangle, RVA Web Page Editor
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*Thank you for the report, and summary of the activities undertaken. It is but a summary of the extraordinary work done by the volunteers to help our work. We are so very thankful for the skilled and sacrificial services of so many volunteers from the RVA.
This work comes at a significant time for Outreach International. We are in the midst of our 30 year anniversary of our work. And this year we announced our 5-year plan: to double our impact of those we serve. Our newly cleaned up offices will assist us in this task, and the RV Association are key to this. What happens in the lives of the poor is being affected to the sacrificial service of you and your friends. Thank you.
According to the Independent Sector, the umbrella organization for US charities that we are a member of, the estimated dollar value of volunteer time is $20.25 per hour in 2008. This does not take into consideration the skilled labor and professional services we received which could be valued higher. But just on this figure, the contribution of the RVA is in excess of $20,000. What a remarkable effort.
I look forward to more formally thanking the RVA, and celebrating with our donors and other partners the achievements and enabling contribution that the RVA made to the mission of Outreach International.
Kind Regards, Matt Naylor
*Please extend the Presiding Bishopric’s thanks to the RV group for its continuing ministry to our Mission Centers. I was just at Brush Creek and saw first hand the wonderful work completed there, and I know you are going back in October. (PS: I saw the list of work and it was growing by the day). However, I know you will again have a wonderful time, and leave your mark of ministry there and in many other places throughout the church. Have Fun!!
In Christ’s Peace, Steve Jones, Presiding Bishop
*Thanks for all you do, RVers! You do so much!
Blessings of Christ’s Peace, Mary Jacks Dynes
*Our hats are off to your great illustration of the Zionic Spirit. The beauty of your gift is that you volunteers report having fun, fellowship and even learning new skills. Your great work illustrates the call of the Restoration from the beginning: “not to take earth up to heaven but to bring heaven down to earth.” With greatest appreciation and admiration for all involved. Keep up the great work! Yours for the Peace of Christ. Love to All, Carl Mesle
*The work of the RVA group never ceases to amaze me. This group of volunteers is simply priceless!!
Tom Banks shared a testimony this summer at one of the reunions at Blue Water Campground about the blessings he received participating in this group. Your impact on our community building mission is broader than just the physical work you accomplish.
Thanks for all that you do in the name of Christ.
Onward! Stassi Cramm
*I would personally like to thank the RVA for their hard work and sacrifices made to improve our campgrounds. I am impressed by the list of things that were accomplished. May God bless each of you with the strength and health both spiritually and physically as you continue this special kind of ministry.
Your sister in Christ, Vera Wetteroff,
President,
*Wow! Your team has been very busy. What a wonderful blessing the RVA has been to the
are grateful for the dedicated service rendered on behalf of this campground. Your efforts have provided upgraded facilities for the foundational ministries that will occur this summer and into the future. Thanks to all!!!
With a grateful heart, Dale Luffman,
Apostle, West Central Mission Field
*I have not had an opportunity to get over to the campground this past week. After seeing all the work you had accomplished when we were over there on the 23rd, I’m sure it looks fabulous. We were so impressed with your work. I hope we are able to help out some when we retire. We would love to be a part of what you do. We pray for your continued success in all that you do, and are so thankful for your talents and willingness to help out where needed. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe in your work and travel.
On behalf of the Camp Nauvoo Operations Group,
God’s Blessings, John Robertson, Board Pres.
*Dear Friends, I am the Children’s Director for
*Thanks again for all of the wonderful work and ministry at our Historic Sites!
David Ettinger, Pres. Restoration Trails Foundation.
*Thanks so much for all of the hard work, and for all you do!
Carol Walden, Manitou Bd. V.P.
*Wow! The list of tasks done by the RVA crew is exhausting just to read! THANK YOU is an inadequate expression for our gratefulness for the hard work and dedication of the RVA (and local volunteers). Please extend our appreciation and thanks to the RVA members who so willingly gave of their time and energy to improve
I’m sure the Holy Spirit present during the work camp will remain and bless all who come seeking ministry this summer. God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Peace*Blessings, Deb Crowley, MCP, SGLIMC
*We are all so blessed by the generous gifts that the RV association so freely shares. Thank you for all you do for so many. And thank you for your labor of love at Manitou.
Stassi Cramm, Apostle, So.Gt. Lakes Intl. M.C.
*Let me add my thanks! What a marvelous team you all are, and what great accomplishments you made! Thanks for sharing so generously with us--it is greatly appreciated! Dena DeVormer, MCFO, So.
*How wonderful!!! You accomplished a great deal! We are truly blessed by all the work you all did!!! Thanks so much! You are such a gift
to the church and to the Lamoni Heartland M.C.
In Christ’s Peace, Mary Jacks Dynes, Apostle
*I want to share my deepest appreciation for all of our friends of the RV Association who have given their time & energy to the project in Nauvoo, but also to those many other places over time where the RVA has served. Your ministry is so valued and appreciated by the church. Without your help, the church would not be able to maintain its properties. You are an example to many, and I hope and pray that the RVA will continue to be a blessing to the church and all those in need. Your companion on the journey,
Willem (Wim) F. van Klinken, director IHQ
*WOW! What accomplishments. The words of Paul come to mind, on behalf of the church in the West Central USA Mission Field & the Far West Mission Center, “I thank God for my remembrance of you.” Indeed, we are very thankful for the devotion and service rendered at Farwesta by the RVA. Please communicate our hearty “thanks!” May the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship and witness of the Holy Spirit continue to abide and bless the RVA in its mission. Grace and peace, Dale Luffman, Apostle, W. Cent. Msn Field
*It wears me out just reading about all you guys did out here. We’re reaping the benefits of your labor, as two camps have already stayed in the cabins. Thanks to all for your love and dedicated service, Diane Goold,
*I would like to thank the RVA for their time and energy in all of the projects they performed at
Robert Bonhomme jr. Bd Pres., Manitou Assn.
*As always, I am stunned and amazed at what the RV association has been able to accomplish at both Nauvoo and Lamoni. Thank you for once again sharing of your time and talents!
Independent Sector (a leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs—see Independent Sector.org) estimates the dollar value of a volunteer hour at $20.25. The contribution of the RV Association to the Joseph Smith Historic Sites alone in 2009 tops $14,000.00.
The Nauvoo and Lamoni historic sites are looking better than they have in many years, and this is a direct reflection of your efforts.
With great appreciation,
Lach McKay, Coordinator of Historic Sites
*Thank you and all of the RV members for your dedicated and faithful efforts here at Liberty Hall and in all of the other places you bless and serve. I remember well the hard work shared after Hurricane Katrina in
Many blessings on your offerings of service and traveling mercies as you go from place to place.
Pam Cress, President, Lamoni Heartland MC
*I want to add my thanks to you for all of the work that has happened here at Liberty Hall in the past 3 years. It has been a wonderful experience to have you here and certainly has improved the conditions that have existed. I “hope” we have the big stuff done now, at least for a while. All of us need to take notice of your organization that gives of so much time and talent to make our church facilities desirable. May you continue to be blessed in your endeavors. Love to each!! Martha McKain,
Site Director, Liberty Hall,
*The Camp Farwesta Board and
possible for many needed repairs to be made that we did not have the manpower to accomplish. We enjoyed having your group at the Campground, and we hope to be able to schedule you again soon. Linda Novak,
*What fantastic news! Sincere thanks to the RV Association for work done at Liberty Hall. Over the past two seasons (this one and last fall), you’ve given it an ‘Extreme Makeover’!
We appreciate the RV Associations service to the church and its historic sites.
Jeff Naylor, President, Historic Sites Foundation
*Max & Marilyn Matthews of
*I have just read about the work that has been accomplished at our Historic Sites, and I am just blown away, and so appreciative of the loving contribution all of you make. As you know, this is a very tough budget year, and so the contribution of time, talent and love by the RV’ers is even that much more important, and needed.
On behalf of the Church, please give each member of your association our heartfelt thanks. Blessings and safe travels,
Steve Jones, Presiding Bishop
*You guys have had a busy & productive summer…we can’t thank you enough for all of the work that you helped us with at
Mike Hale, President,
Thank you again, RVA members, for your valuable service. Each person that walks the Deerhaven grounds or uses the facilities is blessed because of your generous giving. You contribute to their experiences now and into the future. Thank you!
Linda Booth, Apostle Southern USA Mission Field
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Thank you, thank you, thank you – to your RVA members! What a wonderful contribution you have made this year and in earlier years to Deerhaven and to all who use Deerhaven. You RVA members are our secret weapon, our miracle to so much that goes on at Deerhaven.
Deerhaven Retreat and
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Please share on behalf of the Council of Twelve Apostles our deep appreciation for all of the efforts of the RVA to helping maintain and support our campgrounds. Your generosity is a reminder of your lives of commitment and dedication to the church and its mission of sharing Christ’s peace. Our campgrounds are a valuable resource to our mission, and your ministry of loving service helps make this possible. Peace and blessings,
Jim Slauter, President, Council of Twelve Apostles
As an expression of our appreciation for the wonderful things the members of the RV Association have done for Camp Sionito, the Board of Directors of the Sionito Campgrounds Association has placed a brick paver in the “Old, Old Path” at Sionito in honor of the RV Association.
We sincerely appreciate the countless hours of time you have donated to the Campground, and wish you the best as you continue your travels.
See you @ Sionito,
Joseph F. Postnikoff, President of the Board
Wow, what great work! I am pleased to be able to hear all of the good news of the RV Association, when good news is hard to come by these days!
Randy Pratt,
Bishop & Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for the Church Real Estate holdings in
The RVA does such a great job, and makes such a tremendous contribution, it’s difficult to imagine how the church got along without you.
Blessings and thanks to all,
Wally Smith, President Emeritus
Thank you, on behalf of the First Presidency, for the dedicated volunteers who make such a wonderful commitment to serving God’s mission and Community of Christ.
Becky L. Savage, First Presidency
As always, I am WOW’ed by the ministry provided from the RV Association. In time alone, you support the church with the equivalent of about
3 1/2 full-time employees which with salary and benefits is over $100,000 in savings to the church. Then I look at the projects and think “how would we get those done without the support of the RV Association.”
Please pass on to the members my heartfelt thanks of appreciation for the outstanding ministry these wonderful dedicated members provide to the church. Steve Jones, Presiding Bishop
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