Behind the new Welcome Desk in Christensen Center will soon appear a new plaque, thanking the Augsburg Associates for their funding and support for the renovation of that space. They have also been thanked for similar projects in the Augsburg Room, Marshall Room, and the Green Room in Foss Center.

In the nearly 20 years since their founding, the Augsburg Associates have given to the College over a half million dollars from their fundraising efforts earmarked for special projects such as the Christensen Center renovation.

The Augsburg College Associates, who number around 100, is a service auxiliary dedicated to fundraising for special projects and scholarships in support of the College. Nearly 20 years ago, in the fall of 1984, Gladys (Boxrud) Strommen ’46, Kate Anderson, and Stella (Kyllo) Rosenquist ’64 envisioned an organization of Augsburg alumni, alumni wives, faculty wives, and other friends of the College—similar to social and service organizations on other campuses—and compiled a list of potential members to invite to a luncheon.

A number of these women then hosted their own luncheons, inviting classmates and friends with Augsburg connections. Within a year, the Associates grew to around 60 members.

For their initial fundraising events, they sponsored benefit performances at area theaters. The first, The Good Life, was only marginally successful in raising money, says Kate Anderson, a former Associates president and wife of Augsburg president emeritus Charles Anderson. "We were barely organized, and we were trying to do this at the same time." The two following projects, The Rainmaker and Gospel at Colonnus, were more successful.

At that time, planning was underway at Augsburg for a new chapel, to be located in the new Foss, Lobeck, Miles Center for Worship and Communication. As the need for a new organ was discussed, Anderson recalls her proposal to the Associates—"Let's see if we can buy it for the College." Over a six-year period, they raised $250,000 to purchase the Dobson organ in Hoversten Chapel.

During the first decade of the association, their major fundraising projects were annual "Trash and Treasure" sales. For months, the group would collect donations of furniture, clothing, and other household articles for a giant sale. While quite successful, the sales were an enormous amount of work to gather, categorize, and price the goods—and subsequently dispose of unsold items. Space was used in the old church that stood next to Melby Gym and in the gymnasium itself, meaning that everything had to be moved around to accommodate athletic schedules and other needs for the space.
After eight or so years, and when the church was torn down, the Associates decided to end the era of the Trash and Treasure sales.

Managing estate and moving sales

Since 1996, the Associates have continued to raise funds for the College by selling household items, but now through the administration of estate and moving sales. The idea was first proposed to the Associates' board by Helga Egertson, who had volunteered on similar sales with Ebenezer Society. A group of 80 or so women, who are experienced in the organization and appraisal of household goods, manage the sale and then take care of anything that didn't sell. From 1996 through 2002, with six or seven sales per year, the sales have netted $72,000 profit for the Associates.

These sales offer a service as well as provide a benefit for the organization. The Associates have received letters and cards of appreciation, mentioning that they are glad the money goes to support a worthy cause, says Egertson. Anderson adds that their services are provided at times that can be very difficult for many people, some of whom already have connections to Augsburg.

Each sale requires a team who spend a week or so in the home organizing, pricing, and preparing everything for sale, including washing all china and crystal and polishing silver. They bring tables and shelving to the sale location for display. On the Friday and Saturday sale days, approximately 10-12 volunteers are on hand, sometimes finding a line of 20 people waiting for them at 6:30 a.m. Customers range from professional dealers who follow their schedule of sales to neighbors and curious passers-by.

Funding other special projects

After the organ purchase, the Associates' second major fundraising project was furnishing the Special Collections room in the new Lindell Library. The Associates raised $100,000 to create an attractive space with a proper environment to house the special books and collections owned by the College, including the personal library donated by writer and activist Meridel LeSueur.

Since then, the Associates have renovated the Green Room in Foss Center, the Marshall and Augsburg rooms in Christensen Center, and, most recently, have just funded creation of the Welcome Desk that greets visitors to the College center. Special fundraising projects are chosen by the Associates in collaboration with the College administration, identifying projects of the greatest need to the College.

Festive hosts for Velkommen Jul

The Augsburg Associates are perhaps most visible at the College's annual Velkommen Jul celebration for the community, held usually on the first Friday in December. Dressed in traditional Nordic folk costumes, they host the sumptuous table of Scandinavian Christmas goodies and attract visitors with sales of homemade and imported Scandinavian gifts and holiday decorations. For a number of years, the Associates have carried out the planning and preparation for this popular event, as well as the baking and donating of many Scandinavian treats—flatbreads, krumkake, sandbakelser, kransekake, and rosettes.

Service in education

Beyond fundraising, the activities of the Augsburg Associates include an annual educational seminar each spring. Speakers on various topics—some from the Augsburg faculty and staff—present sessions to which the public is also invited. In addition, the Associates have endowed a scholarship offered to an Augsburg student each year.

With a traditionally female membership, the Associates would welcome men and, especially, young people to their ranks. Not all members need participate in the activities. For many, the organization provides a way to support the College, and higher levels of membership represent a significant portion of their annual fundraising.

For further information about estate and moving sales or about the Augsburg Associates, contact 612-330-1183 or 612-330-1171.