Augustana Lutheran Church

Refugee & Immigrant Driving Program

In 2007, Augustana instituted the Refugee and Immigrant Driving Program to help individuals earn their driver’s licenses.  It is the only program of its kind in Western New York.

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Augustana volunteers have aided more than 100 participants from 30 different countries in obtaining driver’s licenses.  Additional participants have earned their driving permit.

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Costs, from training materials to the permit test fee and professional driving lessons, are covered by individual donations, Lutheran Charities, the Lutheran Foundation of WNY, and Thrivent Financial. Augustana is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Donations can be made payable and sent to:

Augustana Lutheran Church

3143 Eggert Road

Tonawanda, NY 14150.

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The Driving Program brochure is available here.

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A one-page document about the program is here.

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God's Work. Our Hands.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) annually holds

a national day of service called "God's Work. Our Hands.'

ELCA churches across the US choose service projects that benefit their communities. 

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This year we are had a Drive-through Food Pantry Drive on September 19 for the

Community of Good Neighbors, on Doat St. at Genesee St. in Buffalo (formerly Resurrection Lutheran Church).

For many years, Augustana worked at Habitat for Humanity sites, along with members from Trinity Old Lutheran. The work could be anything from hanging siding and doing landscaping

to interior painting and installing drywall. Lunches were provided by other ELCA churches, most recently from Abiding Savior.

It is a wonderful feeling to work on the house along with the future homeowners and know that you are helping them achieve their goal of owning a home.

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We support the food pantry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church year round.

In November, we work with Trinity Old Lutheran to provide side dishes for families receiving Thanksgiving dinners from the food pantry.

For food pantry information call Good Shepherd at (716) 832-5390.

Throughout the year we raise funds for charities that help people in need

locally, nationally, and globally :

• LUTHERAN CHARITIES OF WNY

• LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE

• ELCA WORLD HUNGER

• EVANGELICAL MODEL PRIMARY SCHOOL, SIERRA LEONE

For ELCA World Hunger, we hold a drive in the fall for 'God's Global Barnyard,' with individuals choosing farm animals to be given to those in need, culminating in a luncheon to celebrate and to thank the donors.

Augustana collects cold weather gear for local charities such as FRIENDS OF THE NIGHT PEOPLE.