1.      What is St. Luke Lutheran Community's ministry?

St. Luke Lutheran Community (SLLC) affirms the value of human life and the dignity of the individual. Consequently, SLLC'S ministry is to plan, develop, provide and manage quality residential and health care facilities and services for today's aging population.  Living independently at SLLC may be the most desirable situation for many people.  However, when independent living is no longer an option  the individual can remain at St. Luke and receive additional care in the assisted living or nursing areas of the community.  SLLC'S mission is to provide Christian care to older adults as a response to the Love of God that created and sustains all people. 

2.      What improvements will be made at the St. Luke - North Canton campus?

SLLC desires to remain the "home of choice" for senior care in the general North Canton area.  We have determined that there is a need to make the existing facility more “home-like" through a multi-phased “modernization” plan.  This modernization will better meet the desires of the next generation of residents. Phase I calls for improved heating and air conditioning systems to create a more comfortable environment as well as improve energy efficiency.

Phase II addresses upgrades to the assisted living wing and the Alzheimer’s care areas with additional lounges and commons areas, therapeutic gardens and green space. Phase III seeks to revamp some of the resident areas in order to add more private rooms to meet the anticipated needs for the next 10-20 years. 

3.      What is the cost of the North Canton renovation and how   will it be funded?

The estimated costs for the first phase of the project will be $2,000,000 of which $1,000,000 must be funded through the generous contributions of SLLC'S supporters.

The total estimated cost for all phases of the project is $5,000,000.  This will be funded by future contributions, Foundation support and income generated from SLLC'S general operations. 

4.      What kind of campus will be built in Massillon?

      SLLC proposes to build a functional, "state of-the-art" senior care complex.  St. Luke - Massillon will become a neighborhood where residents walk on shaded paths, tend gardens, entertain friends on covered patios and walk to church.

This newest continuing care retirement community will include skilled care, assisted living and senior independent housing. 

Phase I of the project is the Waterford at Massillon, the senior independent houses. Three floor plans, ranging in size from 865 sq.ft. to 1390 sq. ft. have been designed to duplex. The homes will have many features and options all to make the units as efficient and maintenance free as possible.

The addition of the assisted living and nursing complex will follow after Phase I is underway.

5.      What is the cost of the new Massillon facility and how will it be funded?

Approximately $1,000,000 through charitable donations will be needed.  This will serve as the impetus to begin the construction phase and create the opportunity to “Open New Doors”.  Current estimates for the entire project range from $10,000,000 to $13,000,000 which will be funded through conventional financing, HUD insured financing or tax-exempt bonds.

        6.      Who will use the new Massillon facility?

Seniors in the service area regardless of religion, race, color or creed.  This would include Western Stark, Eastern Wayne, Southwestern Summit, and Northwestern Tuscarawas Counties. 

7.      Will some of the campaign funds be used to enhance the St. Luke Foundation? 

      What is the purpose of the Foundation and how will these funds be used?

The purpose of the St. Luke Foundation is to support the
St. Luke Lutheran Community.  Funds are used to support residents who need financial assistance in order to remain at St. Luke, as well as "seed money" for new projects, and to cover operational expenses of the Foundation.

The hope is to continue the tradition of strong witness of the Christian faith by providing a sense of well being for those who may need financial assistance, answer the “call” to expand to other locations, and provide support for marketing our ministry.  This capital campaign will serve as the first phase of eventually growing the Foundation's assets to a $5,000,000 endowment within the next five years.  This campaign seeks an additional $500,000 for the Foundation. 

8.     The  St. Luke Foundation has received some generous gifts recently, such as a farm.  Why is there still a need for a capital campaign?

These large gifts were received as Gift Annuities and St. Luke is paying life income to the donors.  The Foundation is required to establish special accounts that generate the monies to support these contractual obligations.  The donations are considered deferred gifts and cannot become usable assets until the death of the donor(s).

St. Luke realizes that it cannot accomplish all of the aforementioned projects simultaneously.  St. Luke leadership knows that it could not expect to conduct capital campaigns every three to five years.  Therefore, St. Luke is conducting one major campaign which started in 2002 hoping to raise $2,000,000 to $2,500,000 or more in this effort.  The feasibility study has been favorably completed and the St. Luke Foundation Board of Trustees has given its approval to proceed with the Capital Campaign.

The campaign will be conducted among the 56 member churches of the St. Luke Lutheran Community Corporation, non-corporate Lutheran churches in the area and in other churches and the community surrounding the St. Luke facilities. 

9.      When will the renovation of the North Canton Facility and the building of the new Massillon facility be completed?

Phase I of the three-phase North Canton project will be completed in 2004.  Phases II and III should follow in 2005 and 2006.  The initial development of the Massillon project would be finished sometime in 2003 with the nursing home portion completed in 2005 and additional independent living becoming available in the future. 

10.   Will there be support from area foundations, corporations and businesses?

In this campaign we will ask for gifts from individuals as well as seek support from foundations, corporations and businesses.  We are hopeful of engaging any or all of these entities through challenge grants and individual corporate gifts. 

11.   Is my contribution tax-deductible?

Yes, SLLC is a tax-exempt corporation (501 (C3)).  All contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with federal law. Each gift will be acknowledged with a “thank you” letter and receipt for tax purposes. 

12.   Is it possible to have my gift matched?

Yes, you may work for a company that will match your contribution, thereby doubling or more than doubling its value.  Ask you companies’ human resources department if your company operates such a program for specific campaign tasks. 

You may also have your gift matched through the Thrivent "Giving Plus" program.  To find out more, click here.

13.   Who planned and is overseeing the campaign?

The “Opening New Doors” campaign is being conducted by SLLC.  We were in conjunction with Kairos and Associates, a Christian Resource Development Firm of Leesburg, Virginia under the authority of the SLLC Board of Directors.  Board members and other volunteer leaders have formed a steering committee to guide the campaign.  The steering committee is aided by a number of smaller committees, made up of a cross section of Lutheran church clergy and members, other denominational clergy and members, business leaders, and interested individuals who have volunteered.

14.   Do you only serve seniors of the Lutheran faith?

St. Luke Lutheran Community is a Lutheran-based outreach ministry for people of all faith traditions. Currently, St. Luke serves these denominations in the following percentages -- Catholic 28%, Protestant 24%, Lutheran 21%, Methodist 9%, Baptist 6%, Presbyterian 5%, Church of Christ 4%, Episcopalian and Brethren 2%.  St. Luke is there for all seniors in our communities.