 L.E.R.T. Volunteers with Heavy Equipment Are Helping Those Most Impacted Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers deployed out immediately late Monday after a rare Derecho storm - described as an "inland hurricane for more than 100 miles" - passed through northern Illinois, causing widespread property damage and leaving tens of thousands without power.  We have been out since late Monday, all day Tuesday, and early today with our chainsaw teams to begin clean-up efforts, as well as responding to on-going calls for help and property assessments, and will continue to be out serving people who have been affected by the storm. LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. has more than 280 trained and certified chainsaw volunteers with multiple pieces of heavy equipment, trailers, lifts and tractors.
Chainsaw teams are currently serving affected families through the following churches: Bloomingdale, Illinois – Trinity Lutheran Church (Roselle) Elburn, Illinois – Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Elburn) Frankfort, Illinois – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Frankfort) Gilberts, Illinois – Immanuel Lutheran Church (East Dundee) Kankakee, Illinois – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Bourbonnais) Lansing, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church (Lansing) Marengo, Illinois – Immanuel Lutheran Church (East Dundee) McHenry, Illinois – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (McHenry) New Lenox, Illinois – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Frankfort) Rockford, Illinois – Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (Rockford) & Immanuel Lutheran Church (Belvidere) Villa Park, Illinois Wayne, Illinois – Trinity Lutheran Church (Roselle) Wheaton, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church (Wheaton)
Because of the severe widespread damage, the teams will be out at least through the weekend. We are adding locations by the hour as needs continue to come in.
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.  Sharing God’s Love, Healing & Hope with Mercy Hearts & Cross Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses provides a physical and spiritual symbol through the giving of hearts and crosses to families and friends who have suffered loss or serious illness of a loved one. LCC never charges those we serve.
On Sunday, August 9, LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Director Rich Martin accompanied by LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ruthie (LCC Staff) brought a cross with mercy heart to Cabrini Green where the community and Janari’s friends gathered for a time to heal. The gathering was organized by a Chicago group, “Good Kids, Mad City.” Poetry, prayer, and testimony by Janari’s friends and other victims of gun violence were made. We lift up in prayer Janari’s family, his friends, the community, and all those who have been victimized by violence. "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go." (Genesis 28:15) Mercy Heart for Continued Healing & Recovery
Mercy Heart for Hope & Healing
LCC Thanks Our Donors for Their Compassionate Hearts and Generosity Lutheran Church Charities extends sincere thanks to our generous donors, whose donations have allowed us to purchase the new Aluma Tiltbed Trailer for $6400. The new trailer will be used to transport the boom lift long distances to disasters much easier and effectively, when needed, for LCC DR Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw volunteers to remove downed trees from roofs and dangerous hanging trees and   On Tuesday, August 4, one hundred and fifty (150) yoga mats were brought to the Disaster Response for Families with Children workshop for children’s use after a disaster or to assist a school with COVID-19 preparations. As of Thursday, August 6, all the mats were delivered to the following Lutheran schools:
 As our schools are preparing to open during the COVID-19 pandemic and because of the increase in cost to protect the children and staff, this donation was a blessing to each of these schools. That sentiment was echoed by each of the principals and teachers we talked to at these schools.  Young Veteran's Vehicle Donation Need Met Dean and Carol Ulrich, L.E.R.T. volunteers and members of Immanuel Belvidere in Illinois, donated their 2004 Kia Sparta to meet the need of a young veteran from St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois. Pastor Karim came with him to pick up the car at LCC’s Northbrook office. Thank you Dean and Carol for your generous donation that will provide much needed transportation for this young man in need! Vehicle Donation Allows a Father Of Seven to Commute to a New Job
Mr. Cathcart will return to work this autumn as a teacher in the Kentucky School System, and although the car he would have used to commute to his newly acquired job recently failed, the Cathcarts are now the grateful recipients of the car donated by Laurie. Laurie was moved to see that the donation of her vehicle was so appreciated and that it will be used by a family very much in need of such a gift. Snack Boxes
COVID-19 related care and suggestions for children were also included. Attendees donated new children items to put in a backpack for distribution by LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers after a disaster.  There were 24 people present from the following L.E.R.T. teams or churches:
Illinois
McHenry County L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers, Alan Holm, Ron Jones and Bruce Preston, worked at two homes this past weekend. At the first home, they cut down a tree damaged by a storm for a LCC K-9 Ministry team member in Grayslake, Illinois. He expressed his appreciation for their assistance and willingness to serve.
At the second home, the team removed a downed tree in the co-workers pond and cut it up along with many downed branches on his large property. He, too, was very pleased for all their hard work and help.  These L.E.R.T. volunteers are making a difference by showing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need in their community.
 L.E.R.T. Volunteers with Heavy Equipment are Helping those Most Impacted “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)  Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers deployed out immediately late yesterday afternoon after a rare Derecho storm - described as an "inland hurricane for more than 100 miles" - passed through northern Illinois, causing widespread property damage and leaving tens of thousands without power. We have been out early this morning and will continue to be out serving people who have been affected by the storm.  LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. has more than 280 trained and certified chainsaw volunteers with multiple pieces of heavy equipment, trailers, lifts and tractors. LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. volunteers immediately deployed out to the areas listed below. Because of the severe damage, the teams will be out at least through the weekend. Chainsaw teams are currently serving affected families through the following churches: Lansing, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church Villa Park, Illinois Wheaton, Illinois – St. John Lutheran Church Frankfort, Illinois – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church East Dundee, Illinois – Immanuel Lutheran Church (also working in Marengo, Illinois) Bloomingdale, Illinois – Trinity Lutheran Church (Roselle) McHenry, Illinois – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Elburn, Illinois – Lord of Life Lutheran Church Joliet, Illinois – Our Savior Lutheran Church Rockford, Illinois – Mt. Olive Lutheran Church We are adding locations by the hour as needs continue to come in. Please keep all the above people in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff, as we deploy out to various locations.  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. 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! 
 Giving Hope and a Future in an Otherwise Hopeless Situation  Since 2012, LCC has supported the education of students from the tent city in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Public and private education in Haiti costs money - there is NO free education. Our Lutheran schools also charge but are less expensive than the public schools. Last year the school year was interrupted by civil unrest in Haiti and then COVID-19. Our students will be returning to school this fall with online learning, beginning September 7. The cost of online learning has increased the tuition $10; now totaling $50 per month.  COVID-19 and the need for online learning have another consequence. In the past, the children would receive a nutritious daily meal at school. With learning now being done online, those meals will no longer be provided. For many of the children, this is their one meal of the day, without it, they will go hungry. Please consider sponsoring a child that they may have hope for their future and learn the wonders of the Lord!  Because of your generous support LCC was able to send donations to Haiti to buy food for the students and their families. The need is still great and ongoing, please prayerfully consider continuing your support. We received this picture and email from Laurent Lophane in Haiti.
Blessings to you. I want to thank all of the members of LCC and especially our donors for contributing to buy food for the parents to feed their children. May God continue blessing all of you and your families and your activities. In Him, Laurent Lophane "Tell to the children the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." (Psalm 78:4) If so moved, please also consider a donation to provide food for these children and their families. |
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