 Last week, the Palatine L.E.R.T. team helped clear a Prince of Peace member’s 90-year-old mother's home front and back yard of overgrown brush, trees, and limbs. The family could not do this work themselves nor afford to hire a professional tree company. Mrs. B. was in tears and was very grateful for all the help. She expressed her thanks for everything the team had done! It was a blessing! Another family member sent a note of thanks to the following LCC staff and Palatine L.E.R.T. volunteers for their willing service: Jim Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Steve MacKay, Kathy O’Day, Marta Rees and Todd Sloan. "I just wanted to let you know how thankful we are for all the hard work you have done. The yard looks amazing! Cannot remember when it looked so good. Thanks for everything!" All consider it a blessing and privilege to serve.
 Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, continue to work with Emmanuel Lutheran Church leaders as they navigate the Maui wildfire recovery process and minister to those affected. They meet weekly on Zoom with church and school leaders. Last week, the leaders reported that they are continuing to supply the community distribution sites in Lahaina and Kula based on specific requests. They have also been able to provide gift card assistance to eight teachers from Main Prep Academy in Lahaina who totally lost their homes, as well as other families referred to them from the family assistance center Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for Maui  Through a strong partnership with Orphan Grain Train, LCC will be sending 120 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to Maui. Thank you to Tim Laabs, HMC Project Manager, and our HMC volunteers and partners who cut wood, painted, glued, packed, and are driving the hearts and markers to Orphan Grain Train’s facility in Norfolk, Nebraska, from Fort Collins, Colorado, and from Northbrook, Illinois. More updates to come once they arrive in Maui. Please pray for clear shipping channels and delivery to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School.
Lutheran Church Charities is continuing to support Emmanuel Lutheran Church leaders as they navigate this recovery process and minister to those affected by this devastating fire. Becky Soppe, MS, LMHP, a GracePoint team counselor from Omaha, Nebraska, specializing in family and youth ministry, is now in Maui, providing spiritual and emotional care on behalf of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Hawaii VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) assigned this shelter to Emmanuel to serve families staying there. Becky led spiritual and emotional care training to Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) certified volunteers so they would be knowledgeable and comfortable ministering to survivors. She has also been available to meet with Emmanuel students and staff as requested. She arrived last Wednesday and will be available until this Friday. Her expertise has been invaluable to Emmanuel and survivors. Providing Tuition Assistance for Emmanuel School Families  Lutheran Church Charities is providing tuition assistance for Emmanuel Lutheran School families that are now struggling to make their payments due to loss of income from the fire destroying their place of business. In addition, many families have taken in and are supporting other family members who have lost everything, increasing their household size and expenses. Emmanuel did not want to lose any family at a time when they need the most support. Your generous donations make it possible for the school to operate effectively, providing continued education and ministry to struggling and hurting families. Emmanuel Lutheran School has also continued to provide requested items needed to the community distribution points for survivors in Lahaina and Kula, Hawaii. You Can Continue to Be There with LCC The congregation of Emmanuel and the people we have met and minister to extend heartfelt “Mahalo nui” for prayers and financial support sent on their behalf. The greatest need is for financial donations to help the people of Maui. They do not have the ability to take in any more donations of items. If you are so moved by this disaster, please donate generously so that we can help survivors with this unfathomable loss. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by these wildfires as well as for the local first responders, LCC staff, and volunteers that help during the long recovery process. Be there with LCC to show them the love and presence of Jesus!
Lutheran Church Charities is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. We only go where we are invited and we never charge those we serve. LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Lutheran Church Charities Attends Annual LCMS Disaster Response Conference in St. Louis, Missouri9/12/2023
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma) and her team attended the conference and presented how they responded to a local disaster in Oklahoma with their church’s L.E.R.T. team. They also shared what the LCC K-9 Ministry teams have done and can do in other areas of the country after a disaster in partnership with local L.E.R.T. teams. While attending the conference, L.E.R.T. team member Christel Springmire assisted Forged by Fire, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization (RSO), to cook and serve southern food for Concordia Seminary students at the annual Jambalaya Fest they host. Kathy O’Day, Anna Piro, Marty Johnson, and Pete Springmire spoke with seminary students about what LCMS L.E.R.T. is and how its program and volunteers can be the church and serve those affected by a disaster. For many seminary students, this is their first introduction to L.E.R.T.
Share the Comfort Event During the conference, Rev. Chris Singer was invited to speak at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Missouri, about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, Disaster Response, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, and Human Care ministries.
On Tuesday, September 5, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dogs Brutus (LCC Squad) and Nigel (LCC Staff) paid their monthly visit to the USO at Great Lakes Naval Station. Each month LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry visits the USO to bring love and compassion to recruits and sailors who are away from home, many for the first time in their lives. It is always inspiring to meet these young people who so proudly serve our nation.
 Last week, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry received an emergency site visit request from the principal at 1st Lutheran School, Fort Smith, Arkansas, after the heartbreaking and unexpected death of Rebecca Stout, a single mother of three of their elementary school students. Rebecca was also a teacher's assistant with their school's three-year-old class. The Comfort Dogs were requested for Rebecca's three sons, the staff, and the other students as they processed the shock of her loss. Last Wednesday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Daniel (Immanuel - Joplin, Missouri) and his handlers traveled to be there for Rebecca's three sons and the school. Daniel spent much time with the three boys and some 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade classes.
 Rolling Meadows Firefighter Jacek Brylewski, 36, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 24, 2023. He was the loving father of five young children: Owen, Myles, Archer, Violet, and Emma. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry was asked to be at Firefighter Brylewski's visitation to share much-needed comfort and love for the first responders and their families who attended. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog In Training Galilee were there to offer a safe, quiet, and comforting place for those who attended the visitation. Jacek's light shone brightly in the lives of all who knew him, and his legacy as a dedicated and caring Firefighter/Paramedic with the Rolling Meadows Fire Department will remain in their hearts.
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