Community Pool
The Community Pool is all about community. We have the opportunity to support each other in many ways, and this is just one more way to do so. Anyone and everyone can give!
There are just over 300 students enrolled at Forest Lake. If each student gave one dollar per week, that is over one-thousand dollars per month! Add that to however many alumni and non-students also contribute and e fund can grow exponentially. We know that not everyone will give, but we encourage to give what you can if you are interested. Even if you give a little, it can go a very long way!
What is the Community Pool?
The Community Pool is a fund that is voluntarily donated to that goes to the needs of anyone we may know that needs help, whether it be with medical bills, grocery shopping, tuition, etc. We come together as a community to help each other financially and emotionally.
Who is the community?
The community is all who donate and all who help out! We are all a part of it, and the community will grow and prosper with the Lord's support and guidance.
What if I don't go to FLA or have already graduated (ALUMNI)?
No problem! You can still donate! You can either mail in your contribution in the form of a check or in cash to the Campus Ministries department at FLA (make sure you specify the money is for Community Pool), we will contact you when we have received the contribution to let you know we have it.We are also working on a PayPal account or a secure way of contributing over the internet by Credit/Debit cards. We will announce when this is complete.
How does it work?
In chapel and church services at FLA, collection will take place, and those who want to give can give some money that will go into this fund. The idea is that the money is voluntarily given and distributed appropriately to those who need support. There is a committee of eight students overseen by Stephanie Johnson (Chaplain of Forest Lake) who meet regularly to discuss needs that are presented and figure out how they can be best met. The money is put into a safe account that the Campus Ministries staff along with the Business Office keeps secure and up-to-date.
When a need is presented, the committee will review it, pray about it, and make a decision. The purpose of the committee is to make sure the funds are given to where they are needed most, and not to someone who is only trying to take advantage of the fund. Then, once the amount to be given and a date is scheduled (depending on the need), Campus Ministries will take a group of people out to give the money as well as help with the need and pray with the recipient.
The community is always directly involved and updated (via this website) about the amount of money and the needs presented. Nothing is done without the knowledge of those who have donated to the fund.
How can I present a need?
This works by word of mouth. There is no filling out of forms or anything like that. If you have a need, talk about it, get it out in the open so we can help and support you. There will always be a slight investigation done into a need to make sure there are not other ways to meeting it, but without communicating your need somehow, we can't help!
If you are far away and find it hard to reach FLA, you can also e-mail your need to 2035ministries@gmail.com.
Who can give?
Anyone can give! Whether it be of time, energy, or money, everyone can give. This is open to Alumni, students, families, and even people we have met along the way. The idea is to harness the community and support each other in whatever ways we can.
What are some of the needs that could be provided for?
There is a plethora of needs that could be met with this fund, not only monetary ones, and so some will be listed as examples here:
- A student needs help with tuition
- A family needs help with medical bills
- A stranger needs help with groceries one week
- An elderly person needs help with his or her house (whether that be painting or lawn care)
- Going on a picnic with the homeless and making new relationships and witnessing to others.
- Car payments or mortgages that cannot be afforded at the immediate time due to unforeseen circumstances
- Buying clothes for those without.
If you have ever sympathized with a need like this, whether personally or through a friend, then you understand the impact that this fund and this community can make. Together we can do what we can't do alone.
How do I know my money is going to the right place?
There will be regular updates and reports on the financial status of the fund and of the needs being presented as well as those being met. We promise complete honesty and to be upfront about whatever happens. We are a community.
We work together to meet needs, and we will always take a group out to pray with the recipient and help with needs.
Remember that needs do not have to be monetary! If someone you know is in need of support or help, let the community know! We are able to help each other and do what can't be done alone!