On Wednesday, April 15, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Chloe (Lord of Life - Elburn, Illinois) with help from her Top Dog read a book online as part of celebrating reading day. The virtual story time was shared with a teacher at Oak Park Elementary in Aurora, Illinois.
On Sunday, April 19, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron (St. John's - Napa, California) and his handlers were spreading God’s love at Brookdale Senior Living by delivering posters with a special message.
They also delivered a poster and a stuffie to their friend Brian who got to come home. Urgent Financial Donations Needed To Help Families Affected By Chattanooga, Tennessee Tornado4/15/2020
Multiple Deaths, Many Traumatic Injuries, School & Nursing Home Damaged Kathy O'Day, Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response, was contacted by Dr. Rev. Roger Paavola, LCMS Mid-South District President shortly after one of the many tornado outbreaks that occurred on Easter Sunday touched down in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Rev. Paavola reports that this is the fifth tornado that has struck somewhere in his district in the last three months. Three churches are located in the affected Tennessee area. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor Harry Sheets and First Lutheran with Pastor Joshua Woodrow in Chattanooga, and First Lutheran with Pastor Robert Seaton in Cleveland. They report that the churches did not sustain damage, but several congregation members and their families have totally lost their homes or have sustained major and minor damage. Currently there are 3 deaths in Chattanooga and 17 hospitalized with traumatic injuries. They have identified 150 homes and businesses, including the elementary school and nursing home, that have been damaged or destroyed, but expect this number to increase as assessments are completed. In Cleveland, 76 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke stated in a press conference that an EF-3 tornado damage with winds estimated around 145 mph struck Easter Sunday night at 11:38pm. It was on the ground for 4 miles and was ½ mile wide. According to both the Mayor and Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy, they do not want people to come to Chattanooga; let them get to the next stage of recovery and figure out how to utilize local volunteers. "This crisis doesn't change the need to deal with the COVID situation. People need to do their very best to maintain social distancing, which will conflict with our desire to immediately help our neighbors," said Rae Bond, CEO of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and chairwoman of the area's COVID-19 task force.
Because of COVID-19 shelter in place national mandates, Lutheran Church Charities cannot send chainsaw teams to respond at this time, as we have recently before in this district. But, we are being asked if our donors can provide financial assistance so that the Mid-South District and these two churches can help many families begin the recovery process by providing for basic needs. This is a very difficult time as everyone has been sheltering safely in their homes, but now cannot do this. There is fear of where they will live for now and in the future, what they will do for income as some individuals had been furloughed, how will they make repairs or rebuild, and how will they ever recover from this. LCC never goes where we are not invited and we NEVER charge those we serve. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. On April 1, LCC launched the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry® Virtual Visits so that we can be in touch with each other through person-to-person Virtual Visits. It’s as if we were there with you. Now you can schedule a Virtual Visit with one of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs – 24/7 we will be available! (For all those working 12-hour days and need to take a break.) Although we will honor Social Distancing – We are not Socially Disconnecting! LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Are Working Together to Share Comfort and Hope The LCC K-9 Ministry teams are finding unique ways to work together to stay in touch with those we interact with every day, providing support and love to help people cope with the loneliness and isolation they may be feeling. When we are not physically able to be present, our presence is still felt by sharing the hope and love that can be found in Jesus Christ! Click the pictures below to read a few ways our LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers are reaching out to stay connected! Our Comfort Dogs, handlers, caregivers, veterans, and retired first responders are waiting to connect with you! We love you and want to see you! Easter Greetings from the Southeast and Missouri Regions! Making A Difference by Staying Connected! LCC never goes where we are not invited and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. Help us with INCREASING DEMAND due to COVID-19 deaths and suicides LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses continues to touch lives even in this challenging environment. In these unprecedented times, the need continues to grow. All of the hearts are being made with the loving and caring hands of Christians who are giving of their time and talents. Here are a few examples of how the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Ministry is showing the love of Jesus through presence and prayer. Prayers for Greg Zanis
More Hearts to Meet the Needs Last week, LCC’s staff member, Tim Laabs, picked up hearts in Wisconsin to provide to volunteers who are staying at home during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and who will be painting the hearts and fish. LCC is grateful for all the churches and volunteers who continue to look for ways to reach out to people who are suffering and in need. Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, has been just one of the many mission partners. A Heart of Mercy & Compassion was provided to the family of Donny Fostner who lost his life to the coronavirus. Donny’s family are members of Brookfield Lutheran Church.
Hearts for First Responders
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”John 15:13 In the past two weeks the Chicago Fire & Police Departments have lost members to the coronavirus. LCC is preparing two hearts this week; one for Chicago Firefighter Mario Araujo and Chicago Police Department Sgt. Cliff Martin. Please continue to pray for our first responders and medical personnel as they put their lives on the line each day for us. Please prayerfully consider donating to Hearts of Mercy & Compassion as the need continues to grow! Your donations can help purchase the materials to make the heart. The cost to produce one heart is $30 (includes shipping). Click HERE to learn more about the ministry. Your Donations Help Sew Masks and Purchase Hand-Washing Kits to Help Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus The coronavirus made its way to Haiti, considered the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) continues to work through our Haiti Mission Partners, Ministry in Mission and Mission: Haiti to send emergency funds to Haiti during the current pandemic crisis. The funds are used to sew masks, assemble hand-washing kits, and purchase food for the most vulnerable. Please help to save one life!
Donations to help the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere battle through COVID-19 could potentially save at the very least one life. The cost to make one mask is $1.00. The cost of a hand-washing kit is $25. Thirty dollars will buy enough rice, oil, maggi, canned fish, spaghetti, and soup to feed one person two meals a day for three weeks. Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to enable Lutheran Church Charities to continue to send emergency funds for life-saving supplies and food to Haiti during the current health crisis.
Rhoda Comfort Dog Delivered Easter Cookies for Hospital Staff and Receives a Special Message4/14/2020
|
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|