On Saturday, February 18, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff) visited their friends at the Epic Art House in Chicago. The Kare 9s were there for their Community Outreach Event. The event was held to connect with friends and introduce community members to the programs and services offered by Epic Art House.
 Last week, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Isaac (Redeemer Lutheran - Spokane Valley, Washington) and his law enforcement handler Bill attended a regional 1st Responder Conference in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The conference travels throughout the United States, providing education, mental health awareness, and resources to all first responders, their spouses, and those who work/volunteer in a supporting role in the first responder's community. Guest speakers provided a wealth of information regarding health, setting up wellness programs, and providing resources that are readily available in this area. How damaging long-term trauma is to our bodies, and how we can slow down the effects. Some shared personal stories of their own journeys and how they tried to manage their lives by themselves, trying to survive the mental roller coaster they were on. None were able to manage without getting outside help.  During both days of the conference, several people visited K-9 Isaac at our booth. Isaac put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces. It was clear Isaac brought joy and comfort to those attending this conference. Some were willing to share their stories with Isaac's handler Bill after learning he was a retired police officer. Isaac's presence allowed us to begin those conversations. Several people come back multiple times to get more love and comfort from Isaac and talk to Bill. Bill connected with other outlying agencies, letting them know about the LCC K-9 Police Ministry and sharing about LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministry. Several police chaplains were also in attendance, and the team was able to connect with them as well.  On Monday evening, February 13, a 43 year-old man entered the Michigan State University (MSU) campus walked into the academic building and student union and began shooting. Three students have been confirmed deceased and five others critical or injured. Terrified students and others sheltered in place for hours on the East Lansing campus, which is home to 50,000 students. The suspect was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, and Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, to be present this week throughout the community. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought hearts/markers through our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses Ministry to be present and help people who are shocked and trying to process this horrific event.  LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), along with their ministry teams, were at the Martin Luther Chapel, 444 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan, for the 5:15 pm prayer vigil on Tuesday, February 14, for victims, families, and the whole MSU community.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St.Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) will join the others on Wednesday. They will be present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/markers will be placed at the designated memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the three lives lost so far.
Please pray with LCC while we are present with the Michigan State University community and with all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.  Early January of 2023, Lutheran Church Charities received a call from Jim Dolan of Illinois Joining Forces - Veterans Assistance Program asking if we could assist a homeless veteran and his family to extend their stay in a hotel for 10 days until they could be moved to another hotel. Thank you for your donations that enabled LCC to pay for the extended hotel stay and meet a number of other basic and spiritual needs.
Partnering with the VA program, VA Hospital, and Illinois Joining Forces - Veterans Assistance Program, LCC was able to assist Jerry, a Navy Veteran, who was in the VA Hospital, and his wife Michelle and their 3-year-old daughter who were isolated and stranded alone in one room of a hotel for over a month. This past Saturday, LCC staff member, Dianna Bonfield was able to celebrate with the whole family as they were moving into their new apartment that the VA found for them. Thank you for providing hope for this family in need.  On February 2, LCC volunteers Bonnie and Richard Habegger were able to pick up a donation of brand-new towels. The towels were surplus from the supplier for hotels in the area. LCC was able to distribute bath towels, hand towels, and wash clothes to the following churches and ministries to help those in need in their community:
Put Your Hands Together (PYHT) Food Ministry is Grateful for a Donation of Sixty Frozen Pizzas2/14/2023
On February 10, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Moriah (St. Luke's - Oviedo, Florida) and Peace (Trinity - Orlando, Florida) attended a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event in Jacksonville, Florida. The event was attended by 120 service members from the Air National Guard. Each of these members have recently returned from or are getting ready for deployment. We were proud to serve those serving us and keeping us safe. And we keep them in our prayers for God's continued presence and protection. We hope you'll include them in your prayers, as well.  Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and centered on God's love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. On February 10, 2023, hundreds of churches of different denominations from all over the world came together to celebrate people with special needs! The following LCC K-9 Ministry teams were honored to participate in Night to Shine events to share comfort and love to attendees and volunteers: Florida LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jemimah (St. Paul - Boca Raton, Florida) Georgia LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lizzie (Trinity - Savannah, Georgia) Illinois LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mahlah (Our Savior - Milford, Illinois) Minnesota LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gideon (St. Michael’s - Bloomington, Minnesota) Missouri LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz (Christ the King - Lake Ozark, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Noah (Timothy - St. Louis, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sheba (Immanuel - Washington, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tabby (St. Paul’s - Des Peres, Missouri) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Zillah (Immanuel - St. Charles, Missouri) Nebraska LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Katie & Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska) North Carolina LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Faith (St. Stephens – Hickory, North Carolina) Texas LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas) LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Pax & Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas) Wisconsin LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska) was invited to King of Kings Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Joanna's calming presence provided hundreds of special guests an opportunity to feel loved and cared for. A young woman the team visited with quoted her favorite Bible verse: "Put on the full armor of God." God's light is shining bright! LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Noah (Timothy - St. Louis, Missouri) had a dedicated room for the guests to come and visit him. During the three hour event, at least 30 guests came to visit Noah along with their chaperone buddies and other staff workers. The man giving Noah a hug kept coming back to Noah and petting him during the evening. The older man had a big smile and so did Noah. Everyone loved Noah's big smile throughout the evening.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Pax & Phoebe (St. Paul - Fort Worth, Texas) saw so many happy faces throughout the evening. The team was honored to be included in this special night, and gave each attendee a Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and Rhoda (Prince of Peace - Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) attended the event at St. Paul's Lutheran church in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. In addition to meeting the special guests, Miss Wisconsin was there, the Milwaukee Brewer Sausages, police and firemen. It was truly "A Night to Shine and Remember!"
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Elijah (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas) participated in Night to Shine in Wichita Falls, Texas. There were over 200 guests, as well as over 200 "buddies" that attended the event. Elijah was blessed to spend time with several of the guests in the sensory room. The sensory room is a room set up for those people that couldn't cope well with the loud music, flashing lights, and over-stimulation. Elijah was introduced as a special guest and was cheered as he arrived.
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