A Death in the Family

We were saddened to learn that one of Family Promise’s dedicated volunteers succumbed to the coronavirus. Don Landzettel, a champion of Family Promise and other worthy organizations, passed away on March 29th.

I knew Don as the creator of Allendale’s annual Christmas concert and had the pleasure of attending this annual event. For me, it was the real kickoff of the holiday season. Every year, shortly after the concert, Don reached out to me with ideas about how to increase attendance for the following year, always with the goal of raising more money for Family Promise.

I asked Anne Goddard, a fellow member of both Archer United Methodist Church and the Allendale Community Choir, to tell me more about this wonderful man. She wrote:

“In 2011, Archer, in cooperation with the other churches in Allendale, became a partner in Family Promise’s network of shelters and formed the Allendale Coalition. In 2012, Don had the great idea that the churches in Allendale could combine their choirs to present a Candlelight Christmas Concert in support of Family Promise. Don worked with our local faith leaders and choir directors to put together a program of carols and sacred readings. He elicited my help in getting local restaurants to donate food for a reception that would be held after the concert. He, himself, solicited donations from corporate sponsors to cover any costs, so that we could make a significant donation to Family Promise. Since that first year, the benefit concert has become a much-anticipated annual event and the Combined Choirs of Allendale has grown to include members from all parts of the community. Don had great energy and enthusiasm for this mission as well as great leadership ability. He could persuade businesses and individuals to support the effort financially. He could also create a team of musical professionals, the individual choir directors, who put their egos aside to work cooperatively together on this mission. His strong leadership was what made the concert a success.

Don was a kind and caring friend who worked tirelessly for our church and our greater community. He was a force for good in the world, and his presence will be sorely missed.”

What a fitting tribute for this selfless man.