Look for Wilbur in the back of the church, to your right, just as you enter the sanctuary.

Say "HI" To Wilbur, Grace's Wonder Pig!

Grace's "Wilbur Outreach" began as a tangible way to help our children see where their Sunday School Offerings were going. The children had a contest to name our two "piggy banks". The smaller pig, Babe, is located in the Sunday School area and all the children's offering is deposited there on a Sunday morning. Our larger Glass pig, better known as Wilbur, has his home in the back of the sanctuary.

Through Wilbur's global and local outreach emphasizes, the children and congregation are able to see where their "noisy and quiet" offerings are going. Wilbur has an article in every Gracevine and has become known throughout the congregation for his uncanny ability to raise large sums of money for many charitable causes. During the past seven years Wilbur has successfully raised, with the help of matching funds from Thrivent, well over $60,000. Some of the various charities that benefited from Wilbur's efforts include:

The ELCA World Hunger
Heifer Project International
Tsunami, flood, tornado and hurricane victims
(through the ELCA Disaster Relief funds)
Aunt Rita's Foundation for AIDS Awareness and Education
Az Association for Foster Children
Interfaith Co-operative Ministry Holiday Toy and Clothing Drives
Lutheran Refugee Resettlement Program (food cards for refugee families)
ASU "Breaking the Cycle Clinic" which is housed at Grace.

It is no wonder we at Grace call Wilbur our "Wonder Pig". He has opened all of our eyes to the many needs of our neighbors both near and far. Wilbur is always open to suggestions for his monthly charitable recipients. If you have a favorite charity please send the information to ardie.senft@graceinthecity.com