(Over 30 Plus Different Geographic Locations)
 
Helping with Property RECOVERY,
but MOST OF ALL Lives!

Working with LCMS Districts & Churches to Assist Impacted Individuals and Families
Affected by Hurricane Laura and Northern Illinois & Iowa Derecho 

 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." (Isaiah 40:1)

Hurricane Laura has wreaked havoc causing widespread devastation in the United States and Haiti. This Category 4 storm, already stated as one of the top five storms to ever hit the Gulf Coast, made landfall early Thursday morning with 156 mph winds. Still active, its destructive path is headed further inland. Hurricane Laura brought multiple warnings as being unsurvivable, causing extensive evacuations and people scrambling for safer grounds in an already pandemic-affected year.

Your Donations Are Needed to Help Those Impacted and Save Lives

Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, have been monitoring the storm and are in close contact with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Presidents and Disaster Response Coordinators as well as our Mission Partners in Haiti.

Mid-South District President Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola stated he is closely watching the storm’s path through his district. So far they are experiencing wind damage and flash flooding. Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator will begin assessments in Lake Charles, Louisiana and surrounding areas as soon as it is safe to do so. Both intend to keep LCC posted on the effects of Hurricane Laura on their respective Districts and how LCC can assist with recovery efforts.

HURRICANE LAURA - United States

Hurricane Laura has also caused storm surges along the Gulf Coast, flash flooding, multiple tornadoes, and widespread power outages which will continue for many days or even weeks. Already on the move inland, its path crosses Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee with the following cities getting hit the hardest, including:
 
Louisiana: Lake Charles, Shreveport, Alexandria, Cameron, Monroe, Holly Beach
Arkansas: Texarkana, Little Rock, Jonesboro, Bastrop
Texas: Orange, Port Arthur
Tennessee: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville

As soon as it’s safe for our LCMS contacts to assess the damage and connect with the local LCMS churches, we will partner with them to assist those most impacted by Hurricane Laura.
 
Please pray for the safety of those in the path of Hurricane Laura. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in the hardest hit communities.

HURRICANE LAURA - Haiti

Already being hit hard by the pandemic, Haitians are now fleeing impacted areas through knee and waist-deep muddy water, carrying what little they had in search of dry land. It’s some of the worst flooding the Haitian capital has seen in years.
 
The combination of wind, driving rain and runoff from the mountains rushing to the sea, damaged and destroyed homes, ruining some possessions and washing many belongs away.

Lutheran Church Charities has been in contact with our Haiti Mission Partners to determine the immediate needs. Funds are needed to provide emergency food, bottled water, tarps and supplies to patch roofs and walls.
 
Please pray for LCC Haiti Mission partners and the Haitians as they recover from yet another disaster. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Haiti.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS – DERECHO

On Monday, August 10, northern Illinois experienced a rare derecho with sustained winds of 60 – 90 mph and 15 confirmed tornados, causing widespread property damage throughout many northern Illinois cities.
 
Approximately 75 LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified volunteers and heavy equipment operators from 24 different LCMS churches have willingly completed work at 36 homes and will be working this weekend at two other locations.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – DERECHO

This same derecho barreled through Cedar Rapids, Iowa before hitting Illinois with 100 mph winds causing major destruction to homes, businesses, farms and crops. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is making plans to deploy and assist the Iowa District as soon as work is completed in northern Illinois.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response stands ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
                    LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve!
 
Please join LCC in praying for all those impacted by recent hurricane and derecho storms in the United States and Haiti, and for all of the first responders, volunteers, and our mission partners who serve them. Thank you for your generous support!

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need.
 
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!

Tim Hetzner
President/CEO 
Lutheran Church Charities

LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Jeremy Sanders, Battalion Chief, Cal Fire, Employee Support Services, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be the with the first responders protecting life and property of those affected by the California wildfires.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John's - Napa, California) and Micah (Light of the Valley, Elk Grove - California), and their teams deployed over the weekend to offer comfort to the firefighters and their leadership teams at Cal Fire Base Camp in Pleasanton who help battle the California wildfires.

California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed in an update Monday that the extent of the fire damage ravaging the state is now at 1.2 million acres, nearly the size of the entire Grand Canyon.

Please pray for these courageous men and women who put their lives on the line to stop these dangerous and destructive fires. God bless them all and those affected by these fires.

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah‬ ‭40:1)‬

LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meals costs. We put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.

Please consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

75 LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified volunteers and heavy equipment operators
from 24 different LCMS churches served to help those affected by the storms

On Monday, August 10, Northern Illinois experienced a rare derecho with sustained winds of 60 – 90 mph and 15 confirmed tornados, causing widespread property damage throughout many cities.

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers have currently completed work at 34 homes and will be working this week at two other locations. LCC has served at these homes through 18 different Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District (NID) churches located in their disaster-affected cities.

In Marengo and Union, Illinois, one of the tornados ripped through four homeowner properties, ranging from 5 – 26 acres each, uprooting multiple trees and leaving a trail of destruction and damaged roofs. LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw and heavy equipment operators spent four days working at all of these homes.
Each of the homeowners expressed how they felt that God was blessing them with angels sent to help with what would have been an impossible job to do on their own or could have afforded to do.

LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers also worked at 6 homes in Kankakee, Illinois, mostly elderly or widowed congregation members, and also included Pastor Koeppen from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He expressed what a tremendous relief our ministry has been for all those helped in his congregation.

Approximately 75 LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw certified volunteers and heavy equipment operators from 24 different LCMS churches have willingly responded to serve at all of these affected homes.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.

Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

LCC Disaster Response to Help Cedar Rapids, Iowa Derecho and Hurricane Laura in the Gulf Coast After Finishing Local Storm Recovery

LCC DR is making plans with LCMS Iowa District to assist in derecho recovery efforts in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after completing work in Northern Illinois. We are also closely monitoring Hurricane Laura as it approaches the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Marco & Tropical Storm Laura Flood Towns Causing Devastating Damage and Killing Many

Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura passed over Haiti this past weekend flooding roads in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. People were wading waist-deep in muddy water in some of the worst flooding the Haitian capital has seen in years.

The combination of wind, driving rain and runoff from the mountains rushing to the sea, damaged and destroyed homes, ruining some possessions and washing many belongs away.

Tropical Storm Laura is now Hurricane Laura and still threatens lives in Haiti.

Lutheran Church Charities has been in contact with our Haiti Mission Partners to determine the immediate needs. Funds are needed to provide emergency food, bottled water, tarps and supplies to patch roofs and walls.

LCC received the below video from Lophane Laurent, Field Director, as Hurricane Marco unleashed its fury causing torrential downpour.

Haitian authorities reported five deaths so far, including at least two people swept away in flooding and a ten-year old girl crushed when a tree fell on her home.

According to reports, Peligre Dam, a flood-controlling and energy generating hydroelectric plant in the Artibonite River valley in Haiti’s lush agricultural sector, had flooded and was subsequently opened.

"We are in grave danger because when this river overflows it causes major problems. There are people who have children who need to evacuate but they don't have the resources to do that," a man who stood on the bank of the overflowing, muddy river told VOA News. He urged the government to send help immediately.

Please pray for LCC Haiti Mission partners and the Haitians as they recover from yet another disaster. If you are so moved, please donate generously to help LCC support the recovery efforts in Haiti.

Due to COVID-19, many families have lost their jobs and are unable to pay the school tuition. Other families are behind in their tuition from the last school year but are struggling to pay a little at a time. As COVID-19 lingers on the future of the children staying in school at Christ the King grows bleaker.

In the Bronzeville community of Chicago, Christ the King Lutheran Church and School, as small as they are, has stood for 47 years and still stands as a big beacon of hope for the people around them. Pastor John Brazeal, Principal Geri Brazeal, the school staff, and members of the congregation for 47 years have been sharing the life-changing love and grace of God, in Jesus Christ and a quality education for the children of the families they serve.

Students who have come through Christ the King School have had their lives drastically changed by the love of Christ showered on them through Pastor John and Geri Brazeal, and the staff.

LCC was blessed to have students from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, attend handler training on August 17-19. LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals who have been called to go out and serve their home communities to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

The handlers spent a lot of time learning new handling skills and building their knowledge about the ministry. Each handler worked with either their affiliate’s dog or with a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog-in-Training.

LCC welcomes the following new handlers from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry:

Toddler Yoga Mat Donation

A special thank you to LCC volunteer Kathleen Engstrom for another donation of 572 toddler yoga mats and to Bob and Eileen Desiron who drove to Racine, Wisconsin to pick up the donation.

For one of our larger schools this donation enabled them to save $6,000.00 that they did not have to spend from their already stress school budget. For day care, preschool, kindergarten, and first and second grade teachers it allowed them to create safe social distance spaces for their students on the classroom floor and allowing them to create the social distance space when they move the classroom outdoors.
Lutheran Church Charities was able to pass this donation of toddler yoga mats on to the following schools and ministries in Illinois:

•   Calvary, Wood Dale Baby Bank
•   Immanuel Lutheran School, Hillside
•   Immanuel Lutheran School, Palatine
•   St. John Lutheran School, Lombard
•   St. Matthew Lutheran School, Hawthorn Woods
•   St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn
•   St. Peter Lutheran School, Schaumburg
•   Trinity Lutheran School, Roselle