All Saints Lutheran Church Superstar Community Partner

Tinley Park, IL – For over 30 years All Saints Lutheran Church in Orland Park, Illinois has been supporting St. Coletta’s of Illinois’ participants, hosting events, gift drives, and volunteering their time. St. Coletta’s of Illinois is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programs and services are provided for children and adults without regard to race, religion, or economic background. This aligns with All Saints Lutheran Church’s accepting all people and being an “oasis of joy and hope” both to members and their community.

Currently St. Coletta’s participants enjoy weekly picnics at All Saints Church, where church volunteers barbeque lunch, serve desserts, offer games, and even paint participant’s nails! Each Tuesday during the summer, 60-70 residential participants head to All Saints Church for a few hours in the afternoon. They enjoy a variety of picnic food, music and some small group time with the church volunteers.

All Saints Lutheran Church Pastor Don Borling has said St. Coletta’s participants have become very important to not only him, but his congregation. Having known many of them for 30 years, he has watched them grow and developed a friendship. “We just love St. Coletta’s. The participants and staff are wonderful people. When we are with those guys, there is this spirit that brings us all together and makes us better people.” He continues, “They are so kind and peaceful and have this love that they can’t wait to share with everyone.”

During the winter months All Saints Lutheran continues the fun with Pizza and Pop parties, featuring indoor games and plenty of food for participants. The winter season also brings All Saints Lutheran’s “Giving Tree” program where St. Coletta’s adult participants receive Christmas gifts from the church families. Volunteers also cook and serve a Thanksgiving feast to the residents; they even send them home with a prepared meal for dinner.

All Saints Lutheran’s generosity continues throughout the year by also partnering with Salon DaVinci of Tinley Park, Illinois to offer free haircuts to the participants, since many are on small fixed incomes. Knowing these small acts can make a big difference to St. Coletta’s clients, church choir director Doug even volunteers as St. Coletta’s choir director! This allows for those with an interest in music to have a guided outlet.

St. Coletta’s of Illinois, celebrating its 70th year, provides services to over 250 adults and children with intellectual and development disabilities though residential care, educational programs, medical care, religious and pastoral care, vocational services, and specialized facilities. To learn more about St. Coletta’s of Illinois please contact us at (708)342-5200 or visit our website at www.stcil.org