Tree of Life UU Congregation—Open Hearts and Hands Up to the Community

The Second Sunday collections at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry are opportunities to support partner organizations that serve the community in ways consistent with UU values.  A worthy organization receives the cash and designated checks from the offering at services on the second Sunday of the month.  Most recipients represent long standing commitments which extend beyond monetary gifts to include volunteer and service opportunities.  Two recent examples illustrate how it works.

Members and friends of the Tree of Life raised $463 for TLS Veterans which provides essential services to McHenry County Veterans from its November Second Sunday collection.  TLS services include New Horizons Transitional Living housing in Hebron, personal and employment counseling, and support groups.   Pictured right to left are Army National Guard Veteran Jeff Rothermel, TLS case manager Sean Merchant, TLS Executive Director Laura Franz, and Tree of Life Social Justice Team Co-chair Sue Rekenthaler.

Tree of Life members contributed over $500 to Toby’s Fund for Women’s Health, which is managed by the McHenry County Citizens for Choice Education Fund (MCCC EF). Toby’s Fund, which helps McHenry County women in need of financial assistance to secure abortion services, was initiated by Toby’s six children of Marengo businesswoman Toby Levin to honor the memory of their mother, a committed supporter of MCCC.  Pictured are MCCC EF board members Robert Levin, Mary Ewert, and Dee Manny with Irene Raven, Sue Rekenthaler, and Patrick Murfin of the Tree of Life Social Justice Team.