Thank you for all you do!

Youth, their leaders, and the congregations around the country that sent them to the two ELCA Youth Gatherings in Atlanta in July. In response to a "Million-dollar Youth Challenge"--for every person attending the gathering to raise and bring three rolls of quarters to Atlanta--more than $683,790 was raised. Half will be given to the World Hunger Appeal, and half will be given to the World Hunger Program's Stand With Africa campaign with LCMS World Relief and Lutheran World Relief.

Cala Nelson, 17, First Lutheran Church, Blair, Wis., said the quarter collection was a "good opportunity to serve and help fight hunger." Nelson's sister, Dana Nelson, 15, said, "It made me feel good to contribute."

The gathering theme was "Do Life! Ubuntu!" an African concept of community. At the gatherings, youth visiting the area sponsored by the World Hunger Appeal and Lutheran World Relief in the Interaction Center participated in "U-ball," a variation of volleyball that simulated the lives of AIDS victims, survivors of landmine explosions, people laden with material items, and other people living in poverty.

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