43 Volunteers. 451 Hours. 23 Sites. A Community Restored.

In the wake of fierce August storms that tore through Northern Illinois—toppling trees, damaging homes, and leaving dangerous debris—Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers answered the call to serve.

Over the course of eleven days, 43 LERT chainsaw volunteers completed work at 23 sites in Batavia, Belvidere, Carpentersville, Darien, Lisle, and Wheaton, Illinois. Using their training and equipment—including bobcats, tractors, and boom lifts—they dedicated 451 volunteer hours to serve both homeowners and churches. More importantly, they shared the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those facing loss after the storm.

The final three homeowner sites required advanced lift and rigging techniques to carefully remove a large tree, bringing it down limb by limb without damaging nearby homes, sheds, or power lines. Throughout the day, two neighboring residents watched the team’s progress, offering food and drinks in gratitude. By evening, the dangerous tree was gone, and the neighbors expressed deep relief and joy. “You were truly a blessing,” they told the volunteers.

These efforts followed the August 16 microbursts and straight-line windstorms that swept across the LCMS Northern Illinois District. The storms left behind uprooted trees, broken limbs, damaged homes, and downed power lines, creating hazardous conditions for families and congregations.

In the immediate aftermath, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response staff and LERT volunteers immediately assessed needs and provided hands-on help to those in need.

LCC Disaster Response was sent a thank you note from a family in Belvidere to share with the team that did all-day lift work at their home. Part of it reads: "Philippians 2:3-4 states, '…value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others.' Nothing epitomizes the work of the LERT volunteers more than the note above. What gracious servants of the Lord all of you are! We appreciate all that was done and cannot thank you enough."

LCC Disaster Response extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and talents to help families recover from this disaster. Special appreciation also goes to Immanuel, Belvidere for graciously hosting volunteers each morning as they served in one of the hardest-hit communities.

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