  Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) received a request from Pastor Greg Hoffmann and Parish Nurse, Marcy Schnorr, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rochelle, Illinois for financial assistance for a faithful young family with four children, ages 2, 8, 9 & 11, who lost their home and all belongings in a fire. This is a third-generation member family at St. Paul. On Friday, February 14, the husband/father, who is a veteran on disability due to a work related injury, was home alone when an electrical fire broke out in the back bedroom. His phone was in the room where the fire started, so he couldn’t use it to call for help. He saved as many of their family pets as he could and quickly ran to the neighbors and called 9-1-1.  Fire Departments from all over the region responded immediately. The fire spread so quickly, though, that by the time they arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames. The firefighters fought the blaze to the end but were unable to save the family’s home. The firemen had to tear down the house in the act of putting the fire out. What wasn’t consumed by fire, sustained smoke and water damage. Other family members were not at home at the time and the husband/father was not injured. The 8-year-old child had been home sick from school all week but was well enough to go to school on Friday, the day of the fire. Both parents are thankful that he was not home at the time. The close-knit community stepped up to help this family of six with immediate basic needs. They are all very grateful for the help and are thankful that no one was hurt. They are overwhelmed with the long journey ahead of them but are looking forward to rebuilding. “This was the worst day of our lives, watching our home destroyed in front of our eyes. I am grateful my husband was able to get out of the house and save our dog and one of the cats,” shared the wife/mom. Last week, a first check of donations for the family was presented by LCC volunteer, Bob Morris to Pastor Greg Hoffmann and Parish Nurse, Marcy Schnorr at St. Paul, Rochelle, Illinois. The family is currently staying in a hotel room and is still in need of long-term financial assistance until everything is finalized with their insurance and rebuilding begins.  If you are so moved, please prayerfully consider making a generous donation to assist this family. Together, we can demonstrate the mercy, compassion and presence of Jesus to this family in need.
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On February 7, 2020, Night to Shine celebrated its sixth anniversary! On one night, 721 churches from around the world came together to host Night to Shine for approximately 115,000 honored guests through the support of 215,000 volunteers. Organized through the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine events, hosted by churches, create an unforgettable evening which celebrates the uniqueness of each individual guest. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were honored to participate in Night to Shine events to share comfort and love to attendees and volunteers. Hare are a few of the LCC K-9 Ministry teams who participated in the Night to Shine celebrations. First Christian Church - Champaign, Illinois LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah (Our Savior - Milford, Illinois) Mahlah Comfort Dog and her handlers felt honored and blessed to be asked back to a Night to Shine. They danced the night away! All who came left with smiles on their faces.
Messiah Lutheran Church - Weldon Springs, Missouri LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tabby (St. Paul's - Des Peres, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Zillah (Immanuel Lutheran - St. Charles, Missouri) Tabby and Zillah Comfort Dogs were in the relaxation area to comfort guests and volunteers that needed time to just chill. They were a big hit!
Olympia Fields Country Club - Olympia Fields, Illinois LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Blitz, Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jeremiah (LCC Staff) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog-in-Training Rahab The K-9s were present in various areas thoughout the event. They greeted the attendees as they came in, provided a photo opportunity in the photo booth, and welcomed the attendees as they walked down the red carpet. They brought mercy, compassion, and a lot of love to the guests and volunteers.
St. Michael's Lutheran Church - Bloomington, Minnesota LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gideon (St. Michael's Lutheran Church - Bloomington, Minnesota) 2020 Night to Shine at St. Michael's Lutheran Church is a night to remember! A night filled with photos, fun, and most of all LOVE!  St. Paul Lutheran Church - Jackson, Missouri LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jessy (St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Concordia, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Job (Christ the King - Memphis, Tennessee) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Noah (Timothy Lutheran - St. Louis, Missouri) It was an honor to attend Night to Shine! All of the participants looked amazing and had the best time at their prom!
Timberline Church - Fort Collins, Colorado LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby (Redeemer Lutheran - Fort Collins, Colorado) Cubby Comfort Dog made sure that his K-9 Ministry team was assembling the gift bags correctly for Night to Shine.
It was a wonderful night experienced by many of LCC K-9 Ministry teams! LCC thanks all for sharing the love of Jesus Christ to the attendees! Click on the picture below to watch the 2020 Night to Shine highlight video. 
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