Mission MomentumOlder Adults Living Life to the Fullest | Spring 2016

Thoughts from JohnNew Day, New Opportunities, New Blessings

Did You Know?Grants Awarded in 2015

Meet the RugolosLessons in Serigraph

Welcome Mason PointeThe Newest Addition to the LSS Family

NAP Credits AvailableReceive Tax Credits and Help Outreach Social Services

Upcoming Events

In 1984, the hardest decision and the right decision was to sell the Lutheran Hospital – located at 2639 Miami Street in St. Louis. Rooted in both St. Louis and Lutheran history, The Lutheran Hospital had been the first protestant hospital west of the Mississippi River. But it was facing pressing issues. Census had fallen due to urban sprawl and repairs and updates were needed that exceeded current budgets. The very hard decision was made that the building had to be sold.

And that could be the end of the story. A brief footnote in history of a hard, yet right decision. Except it’s not.

With the $34 million dollars from the sale of the building, two organizations were formed. Today known as Lutheran Senior Services and The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, these two organizations have made a significant impact in the lives of those in St. Louis and beyond. The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis has since given away over $100,000,000 in grants for health and healing care and Lutheran Senior Services since 1995 has provided over $50,000,000 in benevolent care to older adults who have outlived their financial resources. $150 million in aid from the $34 million sale … what a blessing!

In these pages of Mission Momentum, I hope you see examples of how Lutheran Senior Services is blessed to be a blessing to others and how we appreciate the support and partnership we receive from many of you – both in our past and in our future!

John Kotovsky

Meet Carol & Lawrence Rugolo

Did You Know?Partnerships and the ability to work together towards a common vision ignite change. Together we are made strong – intertwining and collaborating towards a brighter future.

In 2015, Lutheran Senior Services was awarded over $475,000 in the form of grants from various organizations, businesses, and foundations. These are critical to our mission and unite us with others who are looking to impact the lives of older adults.

$1,500 Commerce Bancshares Foundation — Volunteer Money Management

$2,000 Anita L.C. and William S. Cassilly Charitable Fund — Senior Connections

$5,000 Webb Foundation — Senior Connections

$7,980 Boeing Employees Community Fund — Senior Connections

$10,000 Thrivent Financial — Benevolent Care

$10,000 UMB Bank — Volunteer Money Management

$20,000 Catherine Manley Gaylord Foundation — Senior Connections

$37,000 Neeb Family Foundation — Benevolent Care

$384,000 The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis — Affordable Housing Telehealth Technology program

Serigraph is a combination of the Latin word for “silk” which is seri, and the Greek word for “to write”, which is graphos. For Lawrence and his wife Carol, residents at Lenoir Woods in Columbia, Missouri, serigraphy is also a combination of their art, talent, and life.

“I was hired as a professor for the University of Missouri,” said Lawrence. “I taught a variety of art classes including architectural drawing, graphics, 2D and 3D, and jewelry making. And all along I was dabbling in silkscreen printing. The longer I was at the University of Missouri the more I picked up on it and started exhibiting. And then before long I found myself teaching it.”

Throughout their home, Lawrence’s work from over 30 years is displayed. “We never had to buy artwork,” Carol proudly tells. And now his artwork has a spot at Lenoir Woods. “Kent Kirkwood, the Executive Director at Lenoir Woods, was visiting us in our home and saw a piece hanging on our wall.” A rotation of Lawrence’s work hangs throughout Lenoir Woods for all to enjoy.

Thoughts from JohnSometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

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The Lutheran Senior Services family grew on February 1 to include Mason Pointe, formerly known as The Cedars of Town and Country. Located at Mason Road and Highway 64 in Town and Country, Missouri, Mason Pointe is an example of how Lutheran Senior Services is growing to impact the lives of older adults.

The previous owner, Makhlouf Suissa said he chose to sell to Lutheran Senior Services “because of the shared faith-based approach to care and its excellent reputation in senior living”. That faith-based approach is reflected in the Christian mission of LSS – Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest – based on John 10:10 where Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”.

Supporting the mission of LSS are four strategic imperatives that guide the decisions LSS and its leaders make: people, stewardship, quality & value, and ministry expansion. The decision to add Mason Pointe to the LSS family hit upon all four.

“Our mission and strategic imperatives are always on the forefront,” said John Kotovsky, President and CEO of Lutheran Senior Services. “With the addition of Mason Pointe we add more care-driven employees and their expertise to our organization, are able to provide additional offerings and options to older adults at great value and quality, and are using the blessings put in front of us to impact others and further our Christian-based mission.”

Mason Pointe will be repositioned initially from a skilled nursing community to a rehabilitation services community and then ultimately to a senior living community offering the full continuum of living options LSS is known for. The LSS REACH West County Site, currently located on the campus of Mercy St. Louis Hospital, will move to Mason Pointe this summer. Rachel Little, Executive Director of REACH West County will transition to lead Mason Pointe as their Executive Director.

Welcome Mason PointeThe Newest Addition to the LSS Family

Mission Momentum | 3

“Our mission and strategic imperatives are always on the forefront...”

4 | LSSLiving.org

MasterChef SpringfieldSee local Springfield, Illinois chefs battle head-to-head with their culinary cooking skills – all while enjoying a 5-course meal before the inaugural winner is declared. A Silent Auction will also be included. Tickets can be purchased at MasterChefSpringfield.Eventbrite.com

April 17, 2016

Concordia Village Senior Living Community

4101 W. Iles Ave., Springfield, IL 62711

Tee Off with LSS Benevolent Care Golf TournamentSave the date to take a day and help seniors who have outlived their financial resources.

Gather your team together for a round of golf at the beautiful Norwood Hills Country Club. Learn more at LSSLiving.org/teeoff

July 11, 2016

Norwood Hills Country Club1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr., St. Louis, MO 63121

AmazonSmileAmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Lutheran Senior Services every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at Smile.Amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to LSS.

Shop now at Smile.Amazon.com

Missouri NAP Tax Credits are now available!Lutheran Senior Services Outreach Services is able to offer Missouri State tax credits to eligible donors. The program allows qualified businesses or individuals a substantial tax benefit while supporting LSS Outreach Services. Funds leveraged through the NAP program underwrite the much needed geriatric care management services of low-income seniors throughout St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Currently the benevolent assistance provided through LSS Outreach Services runs out by the 15th of each month. With your assistance we will be able to serve many more of this vulnerable population instead of turning them away. Located in St. Louis, at 1150 Hanley Industrial Court, LSS is a 501c3 providing high quality affordable housing and supportive services to over 800 senior adults with limited financial resources.

What You Can Do!For more information on eligibility, and to reserve credits, contact Al Koepke, LSS Living Foundation Executive Director at 314.262.8237 or email Al.Koepke@LSSLiving.org

Benevolent Care Golf Tournamen

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Tee Offwith LSS