King of Kings volunteers provide another charitable boost for youth

• Booster seats

Betsy Horn, a member of King of Kings Lutheran Church of Woodbury, discusses her efforts to collect and donate children’s booster seats to Washington County Community Services. Horn and the church were recognized by the Washington County Board May 26. Staff photo by Scott Wente

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Children continue to benefit from a local church’s charitable challenge.

King of Kings Lutheran Church member Betsy Horn has led an effort to donate 80 children’s vehicle booster seats to families that get help from Washington County Community Services. The latest donation was a dozen seats given to the county last week.

“It’s a really inexpensive and easy fix to keep kids safe,” Horn told Washington County commissioners May 26.

The initiative started at a Kings of Kings service last year when the Rev. Ralph Olsen gave volunteers, including Horn, $100 in an envelope and simple directions: pay it forward.

Horn learned of a state law requiring children of certain age and weight to ride in booster seats. She collected more money and donated 68 seats. The effort gained national attention when Women’s World magazine featured an article about the church’s charitable acts. More money collected this spring paid for the dozen seats recently donated.

Rick Backman of Washington County Community Services said the donation is appreciated. He said the agency hopes more people take Horn’s lead.

“We’re hoping that this kind of catches fire,” he said.

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