The students and staff were devastated by the death of a sixth-grade student who lost her life tragically to suicide. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mary and Rejoice from St. Paul's, Janesville, WI, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Michael (LCC staff) were requested to be a loving and compassionate presence at Eisenhower Middle School, Rockford, IL, for the students and staff as they processed this heartbreaking loss.
 
One handler shared, "Walking into the school we could feel the overwhelming sadness of the staff as they prepared for their day of 'unknowns'. The students showed their grief, sadness, and anger about the loss of one of their classmates, some through tears and hugs and many by petting Michael Comfort Dog silently. Some of the discussions we had with the students focused on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness with each other and the need to seek out help from trusted adults when feeling overwhelmed. We felt that we were instruments of God’s love and peace through our actions and prayers."
 
Another handler shared, "As everyone had a chance to be with our 3 Comfort Dogs over the length of the school day, we had many of them returning for another visit. Upon their return visit we noticed a calmer mood which allowed for a more relaxed and reflective visit. Many people from the school were truly appreciative of the Comfort Dog visit. God gave us the words to say and the ability to listen at the right moment!"

The loss of a student at Eisenhower Middle School serves as a painful reminder of the importance of open conversations about mental health. By adopting a compassionate, educated, and supportive environment, the community can honor the memory of the student while striving to prevent future tragedies.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

On Tuesday, February 18th, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther & Jordan (Holy Cross - Collinsville, IL), and Jael (Trinity - Hobart, IN), were invited to Auburn Junior High School in Divernon, IL, to support the school as they continue to grieve the loss of Hunter, a seventh-grade student. Hunter passed away in a house fire along with his father and younger brother.

Esther and Jordan started the day in the gym during PE class.  They continued visiting classrooms giving staff and students support in the setting of the counselor/social work room. All three dogs met with seventh graders as the students finished lunch. 
 
Jael Comfort Dog and her handlers spent the time at Auburn Junior High School with the students, teacher and staff in the Life Skills class.  Their teacher Mrs. Amanda Castleman, along with classroom paraprofessionals, welcomed Jael into the classroom as she spent time comforting each student and adult.  Mrs. Castleman’s son Reed is also in this class and was close friends with Hunter. While there were tears when sharing memories of Hunter as a student and friend, Jael’s calming presence throughout the room and the joy she provided as she was pet and hugged certainly shared the compassion and presence of Jesus with those who were hurting.
 
We were present to bring comfort and smiles to a hurting school community. It is our prayer that the students and staff feel the love and comfort of Jesus through us. Our love and prayers go with you.  
 
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Last week the 5th-grade students at Silver Spring Intermediate School in Sussex, WI, celebrated 1,000th day of school by reading stories to LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfiel, WI),  Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin)
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were happy to return to Silver Spring Intermediate as their previous visits were to care and comfort the students and staff after the tragic bus accident that killed one of the students from the district.
 
What stood out with the handlers is the caring, open, and friendly relationship that has formed between the Comfort Dog Ministry teams, the staff, and students at Silver Spring Intermediate.
 
One handler shared, “It was so sweet how so many of the kids remembered the dogs' names from previous visits and were asking if they were part of today's visit.  The comfort dogs have definitely forged a relationship there.”
 
The handlers, ministry partners, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs walk alongside others to listen, sit with, and care for others not only in the darkest of moments but also in those moments of perseverance and celebration.
 
The students loved the opportunity to read their books and stories to Mary, Charity, and Rejoice as was evident by the big smiles on their faces and the gentle touch and closeness of the dogs. We celebrate Silver Spring Intermediate School’s 1,000th Day of School and the friendships we have made with the students, parents, and staff.
 
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

The LCC Human Care team has partnered together with The American Red Cross, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and Partners for Our Communities (POC), a local non-profit, to provide essential support to the survivors.
 
This collaborative effort focuses on helping families find new housing and acquire vital items for their daily lives. Partners for Our Communities will manage the casework for each family, while Lutheran Church Charities will assist by providing funds for security deposits and necessary furniture.

Driving to the Wildfire Resource Hub in Pasadena, California, in late January, St. John’s Lutheran Church volunteer Heather Wilkins didn’t know what to expect. She prayed, “Lord, I don’t know what I’m going to be doing or what will happen, but I know You do.”
 
Heather was among nine St. John’s members, fresh off learning Spiritual First Aid™ (SFA) at an LCC Rapid Training workshop, who volunteered at the Emotional/Spiritual Care area of the Resource Hub, which was supplementing two Disaster Recovery Centers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
 
The Wildfire Resource Hub brought together 45 agencies from government, disaster response, medical, financial, and religious — all vetted by Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) — to provide direct services to those impacted by the Southern California wildfires: hygiene kits, an extra pair of eyeglasses, food, air purifiers, and so much more.

“I was shocked at how big it was — the line to get help was wrapped around the building, several hundred people had been waiting since 4 in the morning,” Heather said. “There is just so much need.”
 
With such great demand, the St. John’s volunteers were deployed to encourage and engage people waiting for hours, asking “How are you holding up?” or “What assistance would be most helpful to you?”
 
“So many people just wanted to talk,” said Jodi Rahn. “They showed us before and after photos on their phones. They wanted to share their stories with us as a way of releasing stress.”

Active listening is a key aspect of Spiritual First Aid, helping those affected by trauma feel heard and process the flood of emotions, as well as assessing their true needs.
 
“They’re going through a process. It’s not a one-and-done circumstance. Their trauma is compounding,” said Jodi, who said the SFA training was a refresher from her experience as a community service officer. “SFA equipped us to ask the right questions and interact in compassionate ways — a touch on the shoulder, an offer to pray, offering to help find resources.”
 
Rev. Tim Deviler, campus pastor at Orange Lutheran High School, agreed.
 
“SFA expanded upon the training I received as a hospital chaplain,” he said. “It prepares you for encountering people with a variety of emotional states and be there for them.”
 
Ellen Koldewey, also a member at St. John's Lutheran, added that she was touched by the response she encountered.
 
"The people in line who had waited for hours were so appreciative. They were so grateful to have someone listen and express concern for them," she said. "They had so much loss, but what they hungered for was community. They really wanted to be with each other and know they were not alone."

For LCC to continue to provide training for crisis response in California and elsewhere, we need help from faithful, generous donors like YOU who are willing to support and serve.
 
Help us continue to BE THERE to bring HOPE FOR THE HURTING with your financial gift to the Southern California Fire Response fund.
 
“The support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in Southern California affected by the fires,” said LCC CEO Rev. Chris Singer.

Resurrection Lutheran Church, Franklin, N.C., delivered an HMC to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), N.C. last week in memory of their comrade, Deputy Jim Lau, who was killed in the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene, while serving in the line of duty. 
 
Sheriff Brent Holbrooks was present to receive the heart, as well as other members of the MCSO staff. The Sheriff’s office was so enamored by the offering that they posted on their Facebook page about it saying, “Yesterday, we received this beautiful gift to honor the life of Deputy Jim Lau.” 
 
Thank you to Resurrection Lutheran’s Pastor Glenn Roseman and Elder Charles Moody for gifting this heart in the Macon County community. At LCC, we deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication and selfless sacrifice of our first responders who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities. Their commitment often comes with great personal cost, and we stand beside them in gratitude.

In September 2024, North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.

LERT volunteers helped Mrs. L. clear large uprooted trees and debris from her farm and out of her corn field. With eight feet of water flowing through her property, the usually gentle creek became a torrent that knocked down large oak trees around her home and left lots of debris in her corn fields.
 
The dedicated LCC LERT volunteers worked tirelessly to help Mrs. L. clear her land, removing the remnants of the storm that had wreaked havoc on her home and livelihood. Their hands-on assistance not only alleviated the physical burden of debris removal but also provided Mrs. L. with a renewed sense of hope.
 
"I am so grateful for the help," she expressed, her voice filled with emotion. "I hope to replant my crops this spring, and with this support, I believe I can."

Our dedicated LERT volunteers had the honor of assisting Mr. and Mrs. W. by removing numerous downed and leaning trees from their expansive property. Following Mr. W.'s recent major cancer surgery, he expressed immense gratitude for the care and support provided by our team. Once capable of managing such tasks himself, Mr. W. found it challenging to ask for help, yet he was deeply touched by our willingness to step in. We reminded him that it is our privilege to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to those in need with love and compassion.

LERT volunteers demonstrated compassion and skill while helping a couple restore their property. Mr. R. suffered a traumatic brain injury a few years ago and has short-term memory difficulties.
 
Despite the challenges of dealing with multiple fallen oak trees from their neighbor's yard that miraculously missed the couple's home and a dangerous leaning tree, these dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the home. They worked with great care using several rigging techniques to avoid any damage during the removal process of the large tree. After several hours, it was finally brought to the ground safely, without causing any damage to the house, shed, or fencing.
 
Throughout their service, they connected with Mr. R., patiently listening to his stories and providing emotional support, embodying the essence of community care. The homeowners expressed immense gratitude, not only for the physical assistance but for the genuine connections made during this trying time.

LCC LERT wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful congregation of Mt. Pisgah in Hendersonville for their unwavering hospitality and support. Your generous provision of meals and a welcoming environment have been instrumental in empowering LCC teams to serve with passion and dedication.
 
Your commitment to outreach and care not only uplifts our volunteers but also profoundly impacts the lives of those we serve together. Thank you for embodying the spirit of compassion and community that is central to our mission at LCC.
 
LCC Disaster Response extends sincere thanks to the following LERT volunteers and congregations for their willing service, prayers, and support:

ILLINOIS
 
Immanuel, Batavia
Bill Pietsch
 
Immanuel, DeKalb
Pete Springmire
 
Immanuel, Shobonier
Fran Collier
 
Lord of Life, Elburn
Kevin Krage, Terry and Mary Kramer, Max Metz, Dave Smercina,
Larry Zagorski
 
St. John, Wheaton
Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, Julianna and Kate Madden, Anna Piro
 
St. John, Wilmette
Tom Morrison
 
St. Paul, Rockford
Dean and Carol Ullrich

IOWA
 Trinity, Davenport
Ken Stotmeister
 
INDIANA
 St. John, Dillsboro
Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
 
TEXAS
 St. Paul, Austin
Pastor Robert LeBlanc

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left many communities in need, and there's still much work to be done. Lutheran Church Charities and our LERT volunteers remain steadfast in their commitment to continue to provide compassionate support in the long recovery process to those affected by Helene. Please keep all those affected in your prayers as we work together to rebuild lives and restore hope.

When the Southern California Wildfires began, no one expected it would become such a large-scale disaster. The size and impact have been overwhelming, according to two LCMS pastors who are working with Lutheran Church Charities.
 
“It has completely taken us by surprise. We have been unable to get back into our community,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Lee, executive pastor of Palisades Lutheran Church in Pacific Palisades.

Palisades Lutheran remains standing, while other churches and structures have burned, yet the congregation will not be able to return there for at least six months. The church has worshipped in a joint service with Pilgrim Lutheran in Santa Monica and held services on the beach.
 
“We’ve been vanquished, so to speak. We’re exiled, refugees, without a home,” he said.
 
For Rev. Dr. John Palka of First Lutheran Church Venice, CA, the fires have been traumatic for the whole region of Southern California.
 
“We’ve heard over and over a sense of loss, dismay, and confusion,” Pastor Palka said. “It’s a trauma, a communal trauma.”
 
Both attended LCC Community Care Events in January and learned how to cope and respond in unprecedented circumstances.
 
“I had never been through a tragedy like this before. No one in my congregation had,” Pastor Palka said. “We’re so grateful that LCC is here to help us. They’ve been down this road before. They know the questions to ask. They know what we will be encountering and experiencing.”
 
Pastor Lee sees the Holy Spirit bringing the Body of Christ together.
 
“We pray for clarity of vision and purpose for our church. But not just our church. We see it as an opportunity to collaborate,” he said.
 
Palka agreed. “Darkness and tragedy are a part of life. But the light that comes to us during these tragedies is the light of Christ.”