On April 10 – 12, Eternal Shepherd Lutheran Church in Seneca, South Carolina, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Hicksville, New York, joined LCC staff for handler training. Each church was very excited to meet their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and to become part of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence.  When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. 
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?”  And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I. Send me.”
 
The following new handlers to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry have heard that call:
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Trinity – Hicksville, New York 
Fred Von Bargen
Susan von Bargen
Francine Gugliotta
Paul Gugliotta
Donna Haines
Sue Haines
Linda Hoeberlein
Donna Hopkins
Jacob Hopkins
John Hopkins
Christine Leone
Mike Leone
Kim Merz
John Plank
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Handlers
Eternal Shepherd – Seneca, South Carolina
Ginger Barthel
Sue Blount
Kyra Carbone
Rudy Carbone
Jean Dombi
Carrie Haenggi
Bob Massa
Diane Williams
 
LCC is honored to include the following individual in the LCC K-9 Police Ministry:
John Plank, Bay Constable, Town of Oyster Bay (NY), 1984 – present (Police Ministry Handler)
 
LCC is also honored to include the following individuals in the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry:
Rudy Carbone, United States Army, 1967 – 1970 (Kare 9 Handler)
John Haines (Ministry Partner), United States Army, 1965 – 1967 (Kare 9 Ministry Partner)
Robert (Bob) Massa, United States Air Force, 1970 – 1972 (Kare 9 Handler)
                                  
We extend a heartfelt thank you for their service and to all of our volunteer handlers and caregivers for their dedication to the LCC K-9 Ministry.

Communities all over Nebraska are really praying they do not flood again as this latest snow bomb cyclone has hit the Midwest. Fremont had mostly rain but northern Nebraska and the Dakotas had one to two feet of snow which will soon melt and come their way. Everyone is very nervous and weary.
 
Trinity is welcoming new families to worship with them during Holy Week to celebrate the message of hope the resurrected Christ freely gives to all who believe. Please continue to pray for the affected Nebraska communities and donate generously to support the individuals and families during their long recovery.

Serving others with physical recovery of their property following a disaster has many components, including clean-up and removal of trees and debris.

Lutheran Church Charities LERT Chainsaw teams have a tremendous need for a dump trailer to complete all of the work for those affected by a disaster. This would give the teams the capability to transport cut trees and other debris to the road for city pickup, or haul it to a designated dump site in the town we are working in.
 
LCC has found an 18’ x 96” Workhouse Dual Tandem Gooseneck Dump Trailer with 24” sides that our heavy equipment would be able to load with trees and debris safely and efficiently for hauling at a cost of $19,150. It also has slide out loading ramps to load and transport a bobcat, ditch witch, or small tractor to a site for use.
 
We are blessed to have very dedicated and experienced LERT volunteers who give of their time, talents and financial support to purchase and maintain their own tools, trucks, and heavy equipment. LCC LERT teams are being called to travel and serve in disaster affected areas not only in our own Northern Illinois District, but nationally due to our expertise and available equipment. With increasing requests, this is beginning to take a financial toll on our volunteers and equipment maintenance.
 
LCC does not charge those we serve and will never profit from our service as Christians. We have established a fund to help offset equipment and operating expenses for our volunteers and purchase equipment as needed. 
 
Please consider a donation to the Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that our LERT disaster response teams may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry invites you to the April "22 Event” Program and Dinner. Join us on Monday, April 22, at 6:00pm for a traditional military ceremony, including the Missing Man Table Ceremony, dinner and a special video presentation.

For the past several years, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry has had the honor of attending Camp Hometown Heroes in Wisconsin. The camp serves children from the ages of 6-16 who have lost a family member in military service. Camp Hometown Heroes has produced a beautiful video highlighting the week's activities at camp and how this ministers to the campers. We will be showing this inspiring and heartwarming video in lieu of a guest speaker. Our chef Kevin will be preparing a franks and beans casserole served with fries, coleslaw, and cornbread. Dessert and beverages will also be served.

The "22 Event" takes place at Lutheran Church Charities located at 3020 Milwaukee Avenue in Northbrook, Illinois, from 6:00 – 8:00pm on April 22. Please RSVP to allow us to prepare enough food. Please email [email protected][email protected] if you plan to attend or have any questions. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you on the 22nd.