ping pong table: Gustavus Adolphus Home Celebrates 120 Years

By SUELLEN CARLSON

6/28/2006 - Director of Volunteers,

Lutheran Social Services

The Gustavus Adolphus Home on the Lutheran Social Services campus is celebrating 120 years of service to young people. In preparation for the big event which will be held Aug. 26 to 27, there will be a chicken barbeque from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday in the cafetorium of the school.

To get there, go up Gustavus Avenue off of Falconer Street. Drive past the school and into the next parking lot on the right.

All proceeds of the barbeque will go to the purchase of recreational items for the youth.

Also in conjunction with the 120th anniversary, GA Family Services is continuing to attempt to contact as many past residents and staff as possible to be a part of its 120th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration will take place on the weekend of Aug. 26 to 27. Included in the festivities will be a Jammers baseball game, music, cook out, worship service and dedication of the ‘‘Wall of Fame’’ at the GA Learning Center.

To be included in the mailings or for further information, contact Liz Lobb at 665- 2116.

Also, GA Family Services has big plans to renovate the gym located in the residential facility and are seeking donations of recreational equipment. The goal is to give the youth a facility they both will take pride in and can earn the privilege to use.

‘‘It is important for GA to offer as many recreational options to our youth as possible,’’ stated Mike Hopkins, executive director of Gustavus Adolphus Family Services. ‘‘Given the length of the winters, indoor activities are essential to our programming success.’’

Some of the equipment GA is hoping will be donated are two slate pool tables, an air hockey table, a foosball table, ping pong table, shuffleboard table and a Nintendo 64 or other video game system. They are also hoping for a couch and love seat combination for a television viewing area. All equipment and furniture must be in good shape and able to stand up to the rugged use of very active teenagers.

To donate an item, please call Liz Lobb at GA Family Services at 665-2116. All items are tax deductible.