Lutheran Church Charities and the Northern Illinois District and Beyond Respond to Tornado Devastation in Moore, Oklahoma

Early reports of many fatalities, injuries, and severe damage are coming in from Moore, Oklahoma where a massive tornado cut a two-mile wide path through this town of 56,000 people.

The best ways to assist with devastation on this scale always takes time to sort out. At this time only approved emergency responders are permitted to enter Moore. No specifics have yet been shared on what needs to be done and the process through which help will be received. However, the most immediate need is cash assistance.

Lutheran Church Charities - working through the District President of the Northern Illinois District - will be collecting money to help Pastor Mark Muenchow from Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City minister to the families in the community who have suffered loss. All donations for this disaster...dollar for dollar...will be directed to the most pressing needs as determined by Messiah Lutheran.

We will continue to monitor the situation for additional help that they may need, stay in contact with our churches in Oklahoma, and share updates as they become available.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have received an invitation from Pastor Muenchow and Messiah Lutheran Church, and are on standby and will deploy to Oklahoma as early as tomorrow. We are waiting for word when it is safe to enter the area. Please keep all in your prayers.

LCC never charges those we serve and we rely on donors to help cover our expenses. Click here if you would like to help cover travel expenses for our K-9 Comfort Dog team.

How to Help

Thank you for Making A Difference in the name of Christ to those suffering loss.

The LERT Chainsaw Team currently has 132 chainsaw-certified members from the Northern Illinois District, Central Illinois District, and the Indiana District NW Region.

A job well done. Thank you for showing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Christ to this special family.

Teams of adults, 18 years on up, are needed to help in the Atlantic district this summer so that others like Orchida can rebuild their lives after suffering through the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. Housing is being provided at Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY.

There were four churches represented from the Northern Illinois District. LCC welcomes the new LERT team of 10 from Calvary Lutheran Church, Elgin. Also welcoming new members to their teams are: Lord of Life Lutheran Church, La Fox, Immanuel Belvidere, and St John Wheaton.

Since LCC started the LERT Ministry in 2008 we have now trained 914 LERT Volunteers within 50 Teams.

For this Spring we have two more training session coming up. There is a training Saturday, May 18th, at Salem Lutheran Church in Homewood, and another is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th, at Lord Of Life Lutheran Church in La Fox. Click here to register for LERT training

LCC staff member Deaconess Tiffany Manor is on the ground and made this report on Sunday:

I did a safety orientation for the new folks and shuttled them to the work sites, they are trying to keep vehicles off the roads as much as possible. Spent some time talking with but mostly listening to the homeowner and family members and church members. I also would get the work crews and family whatever was needed, tools and safety equipment. Dianna worked at the church with the registration volunteer. Pastor Jonathan Manor came up directly after preaching and teaching this morning and did demolition on a house for five hours and then visited and took communion to the shut-in home owner this evening. She was so glad to have a pastor come see her. Tranetta McComb and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Star stayed in Marseilles overnight and continued to provide comfort to the people of Marseilles.

LCC, with this newest class, now has a special team of 110 Chainsaw Certified Volunteers available when we need to deploy following a disaster.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been invited in to serve those affected by today's tragic event. LCC Comfort Dogs Addie and Maggie (pictured), serving Newtown, Connecticut and Sandy Hook Elementary School, are ready to deploy as soon as the situation allows. Other LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will follow.

Please keep all in your prayers.

In 2013, their focus is on rebuilding so those families can get back home. If you have experience in remodeling or home improvement projects, we need you!