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Beware the Golden Toilet
The fun is for a good cause.
BOARDMAN — A fundraiser sponsored by the youth group at Bethel Lutheran Church will bowl you over.
The purpose is to raise money for the group’s trip this summer to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
Here’s how it works: A gold-painted toilet is delivered to the yard of a church member and stays there a day. To have it “flushed away” and select its next destination (the home of another member), the fee is $20. To have the toilet removed before the day is done, it’s $10. A $30 insurance policy will ensure the “Golden Throne” never appears in your yard.
A sign on the back of the throne explains the fundraiser and an accompanying flyer details the fees along with the contact information.
It’s all in fun and for a good cause.
The delivery is being handled by Rick Hungerford, youth director, with his wife, Starr, and Tom Crew, 16, a youth group member. “We got the idea after attending a regional LYO [Lutheran Youth Organization] event,” Rick Hungerford said. He noted it could cost up to $1,000 a person for travel and lodging to the Jesus Justice and Jazz event July 22-26 in New Orleans, so the 16-member youth group plans various fundraisers. He’s still working on transportation.
Rick Hungerford noted that though the congregation supports youth group fundraisers, he realized it might be a good alternative to do something with some humor that was different.
The project, which began last week, will continue “until there are no more orders,” Hungerford said. So far, the Golden Throne has adorned only the yards of church members but the group has toyed with the idea of expanding the project.
“People have a sense of humor about it,” Hungerford said. “And once it’s been to your house, it can’t go back.”
Crew helps in the delivery and takes a photo of the toilet at the person’s house. The photos are posted on the church bulletin board, and provide fodder for laughs and conversation.
When Crew and Hungerford were delivering the Golden Throne to the home of Lynnae Rassega, she almost saw them. “It’s fun getting the toilet there,” Crew said, adding that not getting caught was a bonus. “And we wonder what peoples’ reactions will be.”
“We do pull away laughing,” Hungerford said.
Though the project is lighthearted, the objective in New Orleans has a more serious purpose. “We’ll be involved in work projects there,” Hungerford said. “The kids will have the experience of giving back to the community.”
Bethel Lutheran is partnering with the youth group of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Boardman to take the trip to the Big Easy. The Good Hope group has a “Kiss the Pig” fundraiser, which gathers points by donations for each Sunday school participant.
“I’ve been on a few mission trips. It’s a good feeling to help,” Crew said. “I think part of the trips is about making Jesus known.”
Members of the youth group have participated in mission projects in Bay City, Mich., and Beaufont, S.C. “In Bay City, they built wheelchair ramps, redid decking and painted and in Beaufont, mostly painted,” Hungerford said.
Amber Pattie, 15, a youth group member, has participated in the mission trips. “It’s rewarding to see how grateful people are for the help,” she said.
Amber’s mother, Margie Pattie, said, “I think it helps the kids grow in their faith. They get a great feeling from helping, and they see that one person can do a lot.”
Amber said she thought the mission work showed “the heart of God” as the young people carried out his work.
“The experiences are filled with memories,” said Laura Hungerford, 17. She noted that some of the people who benefit from the mission projects aren’t Christian. “We pray with them and talk about Christian principles.”
Sara Adair, 15, also has been on the mission trips. “A lot of people need help,” she said. “This is living our faith by helping others.” She added it’s also an opportunity to share her faith.