Thank you for your “Giving is Awesome” nominations.
I am proud to announce that the Knie family is our winner! I am so excited to give them such a special gift TO SUCH A DESERVING FAMILY! The Knie family will be receiving a family portrait session worth $650.
Jess Collier nominated the Knie family and her family will also be receiving a family portrait session worth $500! Merry Christmas to you both!!!
For your reading pleasure- the beautiful letter I received from Jess nominating the Knie Family!
Hi Brittany!
Well, I saw your blog post about nominating someone in need, and I definitely have a family who would greatly, greatly appreciate such a wonderful opportunity.
The family I know is the Knie family. Randy and Sarah Knie have two kids – their daughter Sadie is 1 1/2, and their son Finn was born just before Thanksgiving. Randy is one of the two pastors of Brew City Church, here in Milwaukee. These are two of the most selfless people I know. They are always giving of themselves – they always have time to spend with their own extended families, as well as their church family and friends. If someone is in need of prayer, they will pray for them. If someone needs a meal, they give it to them. They also spend a significant amount of time giving back to the Milwaukee community, through volunteering with Repairers of the Breach (a daytime homeless shelter in Milwaukee) and various community outreaches put on through Brew City Church.
Sarah is a stay at home mom. While it would probably be “easier” for her to work, to bring in more income, the Knies value the fact that Sarah can spend time investing in their children’s lives each day. Even though this means a greater financial sacrifice, this is incredibly important to them. The Knies live with the other pastor of Brew City, and his family. They do this in order to save money, so that they can someday own a home of their own.
Randy works full-time, but is hoping to soon move to at least a part-time paid pastor at Brew City Church – because currently, neither pastor is paid. That will bring more challenges, because obviously, a pastor’s salary is not large. Especially for a new church. The Knies are so committed to the community at Brew City, and the city of Milwaukee, that they are willing to sacrifice for where they feel God is leading them. Randy co-teaches a Thursday night class for Brew City church as well. This obviously takes time to prepare for, in addition to the time away from his family, investing in this class and the lives of the students in it. This is above and beyond the time Randy spends preparing for and preaching his sermons on Sunday mornings.
Recently, they have also gone through some frustrations with getting insurance – which is very important when you’re having a baby, and when you have young children. In the midst of these struggles, getting family pictures taken is one of the last things on their minds, though I know it would bring them so much joy.
I do not know the particulars about their finances. I do know, however, that money is tight. They do turn down opportunities that many others wouldn’t think twice about, purely because it’s not financially possible. I do know that they could not afford to pay for the services of a professional photographer, and I know that where they are right now – having just had a baby – they would love to have family pictures taken. While they could probably afford to have some poor quality Sears-type photos taken, I can only imagine their reaction to know that they won such an amazing portrait package.
I’m sure there are many deserving families in Milwaukee. I just know that the Knie family is one of those ever-so deserving families, who would so appreciate such an outstanding opportunity – one that they could not do for themselves.
Thanks for doing this amazing offer, Brittany! I know that whatever family wins will be so deserving and so appreciative. How wonderful that they will be blessed in such a fantastic way!
Jess Collier
Thankyou everyone! And Merry Christmas.
-Brittany of Hanle Productions
