Hey Everyone!
It has been a big week for out trip this week...
On Wednesday, we had most of our team together for a little work project/team builder. It was a great time! We set up the tables and chairs for the pancake breakfast, stained the children's play set at the South Campus and cleaned up some landscaping! Thanks for all of the hard work, you guys!!!
Today, I prayed with a group of five of our students and one leader as they embarked on a 50 mile bike-a-thon to raise money for the trip - did you catch that??? 50 miles!!!! I met them in Pioneer for some pizza about 1 PM before they finished the last 15 miles back to the church! One of them even rode the last couple of miles on a completely flat front tire! WAY TO GO TEAM!!
Saturday, a few of our girls are having a garage sale to raise funds... they have already had one sale and have moved to another location to unload some more things. I think that you guys are doing a GREAT JOB!
Ok... now for a few VERY IMPORTANT things related to this weekend!
Strawberries!
We have a few people who signed up to cut (and I think it is called "crush") strawberries on Saturday morning. If you are AT ALL available after 10:30 AM and would like to help, please meet Tari Davis in the North Campus Kitchen. They will be working hard and could REALLY use some more help... any time that you have would be greatly appreciated!
Sunday Morning
This Pancake Breakfast is an ALL HANDS ON DECK event! Unless you have already communicated something contrary, we expect to have everyone serve from beginning to end (that means complete clean up). ANY AND ALL PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, CAPABLE SIBLINGS AND USEFUL PETS ARE GLADLY APPRECIATED TO HELP... PLEASE HELP US - THIS IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING!
Here is the plan: EVERYONE SHOULD ATTEND THE FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAY MORNING and then plan to head to the North Campus to help out wherever you are needed.
There are two primary areas of need: 1.) KITCHEN (cooking, serving, dishes) 2.) GYMNASIUM (cleaning up, seating people, toppings table, drinks, etc).
We are very excited about how all of this is shaping up and are anxious to see how this will prove to help each of these kids and the families in Honduras!!!!!
Thanks everyone - SEE YOU FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Updates Galore!
Hey Everyone!
I wanted to get a few updates out to you... hold on tight - this information is important and there is a LOT of it!
We sent the final check out this week for the airfare to Honduras. As many of you have asked, Delta's announcement of increased fuel service charges did (significantly) affect our cost! When we set up the trip (and advertised the cost), the service charge was projected at $179/ticket - I anticipated an increase and set the cost to students (for the service charge) at $200.
Well, we sent the check today with a fuel service charge of $359.30 (that is more than $4000 more than we had anticipated). Now, I know exactly what you are thinking... don't worry - we aren't raising the student's price for the trip.
As you already know, the church has pledged $150/student toward each student (anticipating 10-12 students... getting 28... I never anticipated this kind of interest) and will now shoulder the $4000+ involved in this service charge. we are solidly committed to providing an excellent experience for our students!
Extra Money?
I get this question allot: "What if we raise extra money. What should I do with it?" The answer is pretty simple. Please model honesty and integrity for you student and honor the desire of the people who donated toward the trip. We have an extraordinary burden given fuel costs and also have a couple of students who are struggling to raise the money. Please turn in all of the money that you raise - these funds will help to off-set other students who are struggling to raise their funds as well as the increasing difference between what students pay and what this trip will cost.
Well - there are a ton more things that are brewing, but lets get past the breakfast before we start working on those!!!
Thanks, everyone!!!
Jeremy
I wanted to get a few updates out to you... hold on tight - this information is important and there is a LOT of it!
Local Service Project
As you already know (given the dates I listed on the last parent's letter) this Wednesday is an ALL TEAM local Service project. We will meet at the church at 10 AM before we go serve locally (some of this will be team building, some will be serving a local widow and other parts will be preparing for the Pancake Breakfast).
Students will need to wear work clothes, bring money for lunch (we will order pizza) and plan to be busy until at least 2 PM.
Also, as I mentioned in the letter "students with REGULAR/FULL TIME work schedules during the day will be allowed to miss – part time workers will need to request off" If this applies to you (for example you lifeguard FULL TIME at the pool), please let me know.
Pancake Breakfast
Next Sunday (June 15) is the Pancake breakfast fundraiser! We have been working to organize all of the details to make this happen. As has been the case in the past, Randy Shirkey has generously volunteered to handle the kitchen volunteers (food preparation, serving, etc) - make sure to thank Randy - he has been very busy lately and doesn't even have a kid in youth group! Some incredibly cool parents have volunteered to handle heading up the serving area and the seating/dining room area. There are a number of needs that we will need to have handled before Sunday AM:
- ~ We will need about 15 parents to volunteer to make a large fruit salad. If you are able to do that, please email me so that I don't have to start at the top of the list and make calls until I find 15 of you who are willing... that will be a BIG help to me!
- ~ We will need a handful of students and parents to volunteer to clean and cut fresh strawberries on Saturday, June 14. Again, please email me if this could be you!
- ~ Finally, we will need about 10 (or s0) pancake griddles for us to use on the morning of the breakfast. If you have one that we can borrow, please email me (do you sense a trend?)
We sent the final check out this week for the airfare to Honduras. As many of you have asked, Delta's announcement of increased fuel service charges did (significantly) affect our cost! When we set up the trip (and advertised the cost), the service charge was projected at $179/ticket - I anticipated an increase and set the cost to students (for the service charge) at $200.
Well, we sent the check today with a fuel service charge of $359.30 (that is more than $4000 more than we had anticipated). Now, I know exactly what you are thinking... don't worry - we aren't raising the student's price for the trip.
As you already know, the church has pledged $150/student toward each student (anticipating 10-12 students... getting 28... I never anticipated this kind of interest) and will now shoulder the $4000+ involved in this service charge. we are solidly committed to providing an excellent experience for our students!
Extra Money?
I get this question allot: "What if we raise extra money. What should I do with it?" The answer is pretty simple. Please model honesty and integrity for you student and honor the desire of the people who donated toward the trip. We have an extraordinary burden given fuel costs and also have a couple of students who are struggling to raise the money. Please turn in all of the money that you raise - these funds will help to off-set other students who are struggling to raise their funds as well as the increasing difference between what students pay and what this trip will cost.
Well - there are a ton more things that are brewing, but lets get past the breakfast before we start working on those!!!
Thanks, everyone!!!
Jeremy
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Final names from PASSPORT
Hello everyone!
We are still progressing! As many of you heard on the news this past week, DELTA (along with every other major airline) is announcing an increase in ticket pricing due to rising fuel costs. While our ticket price is set, the fuel service charge fluctuates based on when we actually pay for the tickets - OUCH!!!
Since all of this is happening, it is necessary to finalize our plans now rather that the mid-June date we had originally planned on with our travel coordinator.
So, here is what I need from you ASAP:
To finalize the tickets, I will need EACH STUDENTS NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT. While I already have their names that they go by, I need to provide the airline their ACTUAL NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT.
It would be VERY helpful to me if you would IMMEDIATELY email me that information so that I can avoid making 32 individual phone calls - this way I will only need to call those who do not respond quickly. Your helping me in this will save me HOURS of work - I would certainly appreciate that!
Again, all that I need is confirmation of your students ACTUAL NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT. If at all possible, it would be very helpful if you would send that to me via email (or call me) as soon as you get this notice so that I can avoid having to call everyone.
Thanks!!!
Jeremy
We are still progressing! As many of you heard on the news this past week, DELTA (along with every other major airline) is announcing an increase in ticket pricing due to rising fuel costs. While our ticket price is set, the fuel service charge fluctuates based on when we actually pay for the tickets - OUCH!!!
Since all of this is happening, it is necessary to finalize our plans now rather that the mid-June date we had originally planned on with our travel coordinator.
So, here is what I need from you ASAP:
To finalize the tickets, I will need EACH STUDENTS NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT. While I already have their names that they go by, I need to provide the airline their ACTUAL NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT.
It would be VERY helpful to me if you would IMMEDIATELY email me that information so that I can avoid making 32 individual phone calls - this way I will only need to call those who do not respond quickly. Your helping me in this will save me HOURS of work - I would certainly appreciate that!
Again, all that I need is confirmation of your students ACTUAL NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR PASSPORT. If at all possible, it would be very helpful if you would send that to me via email (or call me) as soon as you get this notice so that I can avoid having to call everyone.
Thanks!!!
Jeremy
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
ALL TEAM MEETING!
Hey everyone! I know that it has been a bit since I have posted, but I thought that it might be a good idea to get a reminder out that we have a mandatory meeting this Thursday night. (you should already have the date from the last paper letter that I sent out).
The team is finalized and confirmed at 28 students. In a group of that size, there is no doubt that some of the students (if not all of them) do not know everyone. This Thursday night we will focus on building the team.
Ok - details. We will meet in the youth center from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (eat dinner before you come, but we will have some light snacks available).
If you have questions, please call me ASAP.
See you Thursday!!!
Jeremy
The team is finalized and confirmed at 28 students. In a group of that size, there is no doubt that some of the students (if not all of them) do not know everyone. This Thursday night we will focus on building the team.
Ok - details. We will meet in the youth center from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (eat dinner before you come, but we will have some light snacks available).
If you have questions, please call me ASAP.
See you Thursday!!!
Jeremy
Sunday, March 30, 2008
DEADLINE UPDATE!!!
Hello everyone! It's hard to believe, but we are about to put the final cap on the team that is going to Honduras in July! As of right now, I have 28 students (in addition to our adult staff) signed up and confirmed.
Here is the deal... THIS NOTICE IS FOR ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE...
If you are still on the bubble about going, you need to make a decision or unfortunately it will be made for you. I can take your registration and commitment via email until 8AM tomorrow morning! All that you (actually your parent) needs to do is to send me an email stating that you are planning to go with us to Honduras and that they will commit to paying the cost of the plane ticket even if you do not go.
My reasoning for extending this deadline is help those of you who might be considering a last minute plea. I would love to be as gracious in this as I possibly can, but you must understand the VERY limited flexibility that I have once I order the tickets.
So in short, if you have any questions or concerns about the trip, please feel free to contact me ASAP so that I can answer them and get you registered.
You can reach me by emailing me at jeremy@newhopecc.org or calling me at (419) 553-0050.
I am looking forward to serving with you!!!!!
Jeremy
Here is the deal... THIS NOTICE IS FOR ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE...
If you are still on the bubble about going, you need to make a decision or unfortunately it will be made for you. I can take your registration and commitment via email until 8AM tomorrow morning! All that you (actually your parent) needs to do is to send me an email stating that you are planning to go with us to Honduras and that they will commit to paying the cost of the plane ticket even if you do not go.
My reasoning for extending this deadline is help those of you who might be considering a last minute plea. I would love to be as gracious in this as I possibly can, but you must understand the VERY limited flexibility that I have once I order the tickets.
So in short, if you have any questions or concerns about the trip, please feel free to contact me ASAP so that I can answer them and get you registered.
You can reach me by emailing me at jeremy@newhopecc.org or calling me at (419) 553-0050.
I am looking forward to serving with you!!!!!
Jeremy
The DEADLINE is HERE!!!!
Remember - TODAY (Sunday, March 30) is the DEADLINE to sign up for the trip to Honduras! I have done everything I can to communicate this deadline to as many people as I can, but inevitably there will be some misunderstanding about the details... let's clarify what is going on:
TODAY is the deadline that is set by our airline (DELTA) for us to be able to secure the same rate for students to attend. So, each student has been asked to bring in a $150 non-refundable deposit as well as the "Parent Affirmation Form" which communicates the commitment on the part of the family to pay for at least an additional $800 on the behalf of their student regardless of that student's attendance.
Now, understand that the $150 being DUE TODAY should not prohibit your student from registering today! I will be glad to make alternate arrangements for the payment - the most important piece is the commitment on the part of parents to paying the full amount if the students cannot go for some reason.
PLEASE REGISTER WITH ME TODAY (OR COMMUNICATE WITH ME A.S.A.P)! THIS IS VITAL!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!! (I am really looking forward to having the team secured and named so that I can start crafting the experience portions of the trip!!!)
Jeremy
TODAY is the deadline that is set by our airline (DELTA) for us to be able to secure the same rate for students to attend. So, each student has been asked to bring in a $150 non-refundable deposit as well as the "Parent Affirmation Form" which communicates the commitment on the part of the family to pay for at least an additional $800 on the behalf of their student regardless of that student's attendance.
Now, understand that the $150 being DUE TODAY should not prohibit your student from registering today! I will be glad to make alternate arrangements for the payment - the most important piece is the commitment on the part of parents to paying the full amount if the students cannot go for some reason.
PLEASE REGISTER WITH ME TODAY (OR COMMUNICATE WITH ME A.S.A.P)! THIS IS VITAL!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!! (I am really looking forward to having the team secured and named so that I can start crafting the experience portions of the trip!!!)
Jeremy
Friday, March 21, 2008
Meeting Recap - IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
Hey everyone - hope this snow isn't slowing you down too much!
Well, we had a great meeting last night! It was a lot of fun watching student's (and parent's) faces when they saw the pictures and videos that we showed of our pre-trip to Honduras.
I just want to recap a couple of things that are VITAL for you to know (did I mention VITAL?):
- All of the documents that we handed out will be available at the South Campus Welcome Center (you will need to pick them up THIS SUNDAY as some of the information is time sensitive!)
- PARENT AFFIRMATION FORM: Each student who is going on the trip will need to have a parent read and sign a "Parent Affirmation Form." This form is DUE by the deadline below
- $150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: Each student will need to submit at least $150 as a non-refundable deposit by the deadline below
- THE DEADLINE to sign up for the trip is Sunday, March 30th. Your sign-up will need to be done by filling out the enclosed (in the parent pack that is available at the South Campus Welcome Center) envelope, the Parent affirmation form and the $150 non-refundable deposit. You will need to turn that envelope with the necessary contents in to the South Campus Welcome Center that Sunday (or to the Church office BEFORE that Sunday) or you will not be included in the list of students for whom airline tickets will be purchased on Monday morning. I am very sorry, but there is NO GRACE PERIOD for late sign ups - I cannot purchase additional tickets at this rate once we have made the list.
Well, we had a great meeting last night! It was a lot of fun watching student's (and parent's) faces when they saw the pictures and videos that we showed of our pre-trip to Honduras.
I just want to recap a couple of things that are VITAL for you to know (did I mention VITAL?):
- All of the documents that we handed out will be available at the South Campus Welcome Center (you will need to pick them up THIS SUNDAY as some of the information is time sensitive!)
- PARENT AFFIRMATION FORM: Each student who is going on the trip will need to have a parent read and sign a "Parent Affirmation Form." This form is DUE by the deadline below
- $150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: Each student will need to submit at least $150 as a non-refundable deposit by the deadline below
- THE DEADLINE to sign up for the trip is Sunday, March 30th. Your sign-up will need to be done by filling out the enclosed (in the parent pack that is available at the South Campus Welcome Center) envelope, the Parent affirmation form and the $150 non-refundable deposit. You will need to turn that envelope with the necessary contents in to the South Campus Welcome Center that Sunday (or to the Church office BEFORE that Sunday) or you will not be included in the list of students for whom airline tickets will be purchased on Monday morning. I am very sorry, but there is NO GRACE PERIOD for late sign ups - I cannot purchase additional tickets at this rate once we have made the list.
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