Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer will appear at the 137th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, CA.

Singer will ride on the Lutheran Hour Ministries float with its CEO Kurt Buchholz. The ministry’s float committee invited Singer to be a part of the 2026 event, which marks LHN’s 75th appearance in the parade.

“It is a great honor to be invited to participate in this historic event — a gathering that is watched by millions each year," Singer said. “We celebrate with Lutheran Hour Ministries on their milestone and hope many people learn of the wonderful work they do. LCC is grateful to be a long-time ministry partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries.”

The parade begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Time and will be televised on ABC.

The float, made of small flowers and dried plant material, is themed “Bringing Christ to the Nations.” It features a Team Jesus blimp flying over the world and coming forth from the church as Jesus celebrates with 12 modern-day disciples with the message “ALL WELCOME.”

“Team Jesus serves as a reminder that it takes all to fulfill the callings Christ has place upon us to do the work of bringing Christ and His redeeming love to the world,” Lutheran Hour Ministries said on its website. “LHM invites you to meet or meet anew the source of hope and joy that cannot be taken away. Come, see, hear, and experience the goodness of Jesus Christ.”

This years’ float was designed and built over the course of several months, from the initial design to the scaffolding to the finished product.  More than 4,000 volunteer “Petal Pushers” decorated not only the Lutheran Hour float, but many of the floats that will be featured in the parade.

The Rose Parade, which is viewed by millions each January 1st, follows a 5.5-mile route down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena and features elaborate floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units as it celebrates the beginning of the new year.

Lutheran Hour Ministries shares the love of Christ in more than 60 countries, often bringing the message of Christ to places where no other Christian organization is present.

LCC ministry partner Lophane Laurent, the field director for Mission Haiti, shared Christmas greetings with supporters as the first half of the schoolyear concluded this month.

“We give thanks to God for His blessings. It is not our power but it is God’s protection,” Laurent emailed to Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO.

On his most recent trip to Mission Haiti schools, Laurent read Luke’s Gospel account of the Christmas story to the students and shared why baby Jesus came to Earth for all of us.

“There is no word to explain our happiness and to say thanks to all of you for your love and blessing when you support a child to go to school and have a chance to receive a hot meal every school day,” he wrote. “May God continue to bless you all. Merry Christmas!”

Lutheran Church Charities and its donors are supporting 70 children through the Haiti Tuition & Food Support Fund, which covers schooling, supplies, and nutritious meals. Students also received a special Christmas food pack.

For these children, school is not just a place of learning, but it’s a lifeline, Laurent said.
 
Haiti is the poorest country in the Westen Hemisphere, and children there face unimaginable challenges — hunger, gang violence, life on the streets. Many live in homes without electricity, clean water, or secure shelter. Only 57% of children are enrolled in primary school and less than 30% make it to sixth grade.
 
“When you support a child’s education in Haiti, it changes their life,” Laurent said. “The parents and children are deeply grateful for your generosity to get to go to school again this year.

Just days before Christmas, an apartment fire in Milwaukee displaced dozens of families—many with young children—leaving them without homes, possessions, or the ability to provide even the simplest comforts.

Because Lutheran Church Charities had resources ready before the crisis, we were able to respond immediately.

An LCC Care Team from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin, served at a Multi-Agency Resource Center coordinated by the Red Cross. The team—Mark Brueggemann (LCC Crisis/Disaster Response Coordinator for the South Wisconsin District), Beverly Brueggeman, and Dave Koopman—came ready to listen, to care, and to act.

They distributed prayer shawls, hygiene kits, quilts, devotionals, and gift cards. But just as importantly, they paused with each family. They listened to stories of loss. They acknowledged fear and exhaustion. They offered presence.

Many of the families were struggling to imagine how they would care for their children—especially with Christmas just days away.

In the middle of that uncertainty, small moments of hope emerged.

Dave spent time with a young non-verbal child who had spilled crayons across the floor, gently engaging him with conversation and fist bumps until a shy smile appeared. A young couple rushing back to work received supplies, a devotional, and a gift card. Overwhelmed, the man broke down in gratitude and said through tears, “We can’t believe this. This will help so much,” as he received a compassion-filled hug.

Some families were unable to attend the resource center at all. Because funds were available, the team partnered with the Salvation Army to personally deliver essential items—making sure no family was missed.

These moments mattered. Not because they erased the loss—but because they brought stability, dignity, and care when families needed it most.

Why the Emergency Family Fund MattersNone of this happens by accident.

The Emergency Family Fund exists so LCC can move quickly, without delay, when families are in crisis. It allows us to provide immediate assistance—gift cards, basic needs, transportation, follow-up care—before red tape slows the response.

When emergencies happen near holidays, the need feels even heavier. Children are watching. Parents are desperate to hold things together. The window to help is small.

Because donors had already given, we were ready.
That readiness turned chaos into compassion.
Loss into presence.
Fear into moments of peace.

As We Begin a New Year
Emergencies don’t wait for the “right” moment. Fires, floods, violence, and sudden loss will come again. The question is whether we will be ready.

Your gift to the LCC Emergency Family Fund ensures that when the next family faces crisis—tomorrow, next week, or next Christmas—we can respond immediately with care, dignity, and the love of Christ.
Together, we can continue bringing good deeds when they matter most.

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your partnership in caring for families in their most vulnerable moments.

It is such an honor to witness how God works through small acts or moments to create profound ripples that, as humans, we can never fully imagine. When we listen to His voice and respond to His call, we are infinitely blessed by the ways God reveals Himself to us.

Yesterday was a busy day at LCC, a typical Monday, yet it held a very special moment. The K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry received an important request: to visit a Navy veteran at the hospital who was missing his dogs and his home, feeling unsettled, isolated, and lonely. The only thing he wanted was to spend time with a dog.

The health care supervisor who noticed this veteran’s sadness was determined to bring a smile to his face, to offer a place of peace, love, and comfort. She saw his struggles; she saw him. And she made it her mission to find a dog for this veteran, named Dave.

A contact recommended she reach out to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and she did. LCC promptly arranged for Charity Comfort Dog (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, WI) and her handler to visit Dave that very evening.

Dave was thrilled. He counted down the hours until his 6 p.m. visit. When Charity and her handler arrived, he was waiting in his wheelchair in the hallway, eyes bright with anticipation. Dogs had been Dave’s constant companions throughout his life, and all of his dogs’ names had started with the letter P—Pugsley and Porkchop being his last two.

The moment Dave saw Charity, his face lit up, his shoulders relaxed, and a sense of peace and relief washed over him. As Charity’s handler spent time with Dave, they discovered that he had met Charity and the other LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs before at Milwaukee Airport in June, when he joined other veterans on the Honor Flight to visit the memorial wall in Washington, D.C.

Charity and her handler cherished their time with Dave, a Navy veteran who had faithfully served our country. It was a true honor, a gift from God, to share this special moment with him—and for the health care supervisor to be part of it as well.

Before leaving, Charity and her handler presented Dave with a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog stuffed animal, a puzzle, and a card. The donors who support this ministry were part of these gifts, too.

This ministry is a reminder that through listening, responding, and caring, God’s mighty power works through us to bring comfort, joy, and love in ways we could never imagine.

The ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, IL,  glowed with winter warmth, even as the city outside shivered in mid-December cold. Garlands shimmered, gingerbread houses stood proudly decorated, and the sounds of laughter and holiday music floated through the air. It was WINGS Program, Inc.’s annual holiday fundraiser, a day many in the Chicagoland community look forward to all year—and this year, love seemed to fill every corner of the room.

WINGS Program, Inc. is a nonprofit domestic violence service provider dedicated to helping individuals and families escape domestic violence and rebuild their lives with independence and safety. Through safe housing, integrated supportive services, education, and advocacy, WINGS offers not just shelter, but hope. This fundraiser supports emergency women’s shelters sponsored by the program, making the joy of the day deeply connected to a mission rooted in courage and healing.

Among the twinkling lights and festive tables were some very special guests. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs arrived with gentle paws and even gentler hearts. Emma Comfort Dog (LCC Staff), Gethsemane Comfort Dog (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, IL), Grace Comfort Dog (LCC Staff), Shamgar Comfort Dog in Training, and Tobias Comfort Dog (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, IL) made the frigid trip on Sunday, December 14, ready to greet guests of all ages—from infants to elders. Their presence added a unique kind of magic, the quiet kind that doesn’t sparkle but settles softly into the soul.

They shared comfort, joy, and sweet snuggles throughout the day. For many attendees, the comfort dogs became an anchor amid the excitement. Children knelt down to hug them, adults paused to breathe as they rested a hand on warm fur, and smiles spread easily, often without words. In a room filled with activity, the comfort dogs offered something priceless: calm.

One moment stood out among many. A visibly relieved mother of a one-year-old boy quietly shared her gratitude. The bustling room had overwhelmed her son, leaving him upset and unsure. But after receiving a small stuffed comfort dog to hold and spending time in a quieter space, his tears faded. “I think he’ll be OK now,” she said, her shoulders finally relaxing. It was a simple moment, yet it captured the heart of the day—meeting people where they are and offering exactly what they need, when they need it most.

This event is cherished year after year, and this year was no exception. Guests arrived dressed in their Christmas best, voices mingling with music, joy echoing through the elegant space. Yet beneath the celebration was a shared understanding of why everyone had gathered. The funds raised would help provide safety and support for women and children seeking refuge from domestic violence. Each donation, each ticket, each moment of generosity contributed to lives being rebuilt.

As the day came to a close, hearts were full. The comfort dogs curled up contentedly after hours of service, and volunteers and guests alike carried the warmth of the experience with them. It was more than a fundraiser—it was a reminder of the power of compassion, of community, and of small acts of comfort that can make a lasting difference.

As the Christmas season continues, there is a shared hope and prayer that all the women and children assisted by the WINGS program will find comfort, peace, and the promise of safer days ahead. On this love-filled winter day in downtown Chicago, that hope felt closer than ever.

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer shared remarks during the ceremony: “My heart breaks for each and every one of you that faces this Christmas in a way that you never thought you would have to. We are heartbroken with you. We grieve with you. … The One that came in the manger made sure that something was done about that — that death wouldn’t have the final word. I pray that each and every one of you would receive that gift anew this Christmas, even in the midst of grief. I know that any of your anger, any of your sadness, all the emotion, the manger is big enough to contain it.”

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Martha (Bethany, Austin) and Persis (Christ The Redeemer, Tulsa) and their handlers stood by for all those who needed hugs and a moment to be still. LCC staff and ministry partners were with them to listen, for conversation, or to pray.

“God was present in the midst of such sorrow,” one volunteer shared. “Loved ones proudly stood by the crosses, each cross naming their loved one, whom they will never forget and for whom they grieve deeply. Yet, as they move on from the Garden, they will take the Heart of Mercy & Compassion with them.” 

Each HMC has the verse Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

For years to come, that heart gift will remind them of God’s promise — and for the support from so many who will remember their lost loved one.

Last week was a deeply emotional and impactful one for communities in Northern California — even touching members of three LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams in the area who were called to walk alongside friends and neighbors grieving sudden and tragic events.

On Saturday, November 29, a mass shooting at child’s birthday party in Stockton, CA, claimed the lives of four people, including two 8-year-olds, a teenager, and an adult. Ten others were injured among 100 attendees.

The shooting took place at a location not far from St. Andrews Lutheran Church members’ homes, including where LCC Comfort Dogs Rahab's caregivers live.  

Amid the heavy loss and heartache and fear of additional violence, LCC Comfort Dogs Micah (Light of the Valley, Elk Grove), Genesis (Good Shepherd, Turlock), and Rahab (St. Andrews, Stockton) visited schools and civic employees to extend calm in multiple areas of the Central Valley.

On Tuesday, December 2, Comfort Dogs Micah and Rahab visited students, teachers, and staff at Wagner-Holt Elementary School, located near the site of the shooting. Although no students were hurt, the heartbroken school community was deeply shaken and wondering, “This could have been one of us.”

Rahab and Micah offered wagging tails and warm cuddles as children and staff came to say hello a classroom at a time. Their peaceful presence met a much-needed void, said a school counselor after the visit.

“Thank you so much for coming to our campus today!” she wrote the K-9 teams. “The dogs brought so much joy and comfort to our students and staff. I truly appreciate the support your teams provided.”

Rahab and Micah’s handlers were grateful that the dogs provided space for staff to express emotion, receive comfort, and process the emotions of the week’s events.

Another tragedy emerges

While Rahab and Micah were serving in Stockton, an 11-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in his home in Elk Grove, 40 miles away. First responders and the 911 Dispatch team were gripped with distress.

The next morning, Comfort Dog Micah went to the Elk Grove Police Department and 911 Dispatch Center to encourage and console officers and staff needed a moment of peace.

Later, Rahab joined Micah for a previously scheduled appointment at Yuba College in Yuba City. Undergrads there welcomed the comfort dogs for a time of de-stressing during a “Finals Study Jam.”

On Thursday, December 4, Micah accepted an invitation to visit the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office, whose staff served as the final responders for the 11-year-old boy’s case. With friendly faces and soft, petable fur, the dogs’ presence offered much-needed emotional support for those whose work is little seen, yet carries a heavy weight.

A second school in need

On Monday, December 8, Comfort Dogs Genesis, Micah, and Rahab answered the call to Aspire Apex Public Schools of the Central Valley, where one of the Stockton shooting victims attended.

Still shocked by the loss of one of their own community members, the devastated school was hurting for reassurance and support. The three dogs offered quiet companionship and gentle relief from the sorrow as they processed loss and grief.

On its Facebook account, Aspire Schools shared: “Today, our APEX family was helped by the greater Stockton community in the most beautiful way. In the midst of unimaginable heartbreak, LCC K9 Comfort Dogs Rahab, Micah, and Genesis  visited our campus and brought moments of calm, love, and breathing room for our scholars and staff. To every partner, neighbor, and community member who has wrapped their arms around Aspire during this tragedy, thank you. Your thoughts, prayers, messages, meals, donations, and presence have been felt deeply across our region. We are reminded that even in the darkest moments, community light shines the brightest. Thank you for standing with us, for loving our scholars, and for helping us hold one another up.”

This week, the LCC K-9 teams reflected on the heaviness of this series of site visits. “Through each heartbreaking situation, our comfort dog teams have faithfully provided presence, peace, and love where it was needed most. We are grateful for their dedication and ask that you keep the affected communities—and our responders—in your prayers.”

Every December, something extraordinary happens in airports across the country. Gates transform into glittering North Poles. Pilots become elves. Volunteers become holiday heroes. And in the middle of it all, padding gently across shiny airport floors, are the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, offering calm in a season that can be especially difficult for families whose children are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

This year, three remarkable United Fantasy Flights, Chicago O’Hare, Washington Dulles, and Newark, became chapters of one shared story: a story of hope, compassion, and God’s quiet presence made visible through the soft fur, and a gentle presence of a comfort dog.

Chicago O’Hare: A Runway to Joy

The morning began with 65 children stepping onto a plane not bound for a far-off destination, but for a place made of magic. A gate transformed into the North Pole. United Airlines, Cal’s Angels, and Make-A-Wish worked tirelessly to create this moment, and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were asked once again to bring their special kind of comfort.

Eternity (Cornerstone - Carmel, IN), Gethsemane (Lord of Glory
Grayslake), Magdalene (Cornerstone - Carmel, IN), Shadrach (Prince of Peace Palatine), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake) Comfort Dogs, and Shamgar Comfort Dog in Training trotted eagerly into the airport with their dedicated volunteer handlers, ready to love as only comfort dogs can.

For the children battling life-threatening illnesses the comfort dogs were a safe place to land. Every child received a Comfort Dog “stuffie,” but most wanted the real thing: warm fur, gentle eyes, and a moment to forget the heaviness of their journeys.

One handler later said, “How blessed we are…to bring a moment of joy into the hearts of families suffering so much pain and heartbreak.”

Throughout the day, handlers found themselves deeply moved:

• “It felt like we did so little, yet brought so much joy.”
• “Even Santa had photos of the dogs from previous years.”
• “The hugs…the many hugs these children gave our dogs—priceless.
  
  

There was a quiet moment, too—a child overwhelmed by the crowds, waiting in a wheelchair with her mother. When asked if the dogs could come to her, Magdalene padded over gently. In that small pocket of calm, mother and daughter shared a breath of peace.

Washington Dulles: Love in Every Pawprint

At Washington Dulles International Airport, Amos and Kezia Comfort Dogs joined volunteers who had spent months preparing for their Fantasy Flight. Before the children even arrived, the dogs were already at work, offering calm, grounding moments to volunteers who poured their hearts into making the event magical.

When the children stepped off the “North Pole Flight,” holiday wonders greeted them: snowflakes, superheroes, Disney princesses, sports mascots, and two comfort dogs whose tails wagged with joy.

For some children, this was their first time ever petting a dog. For others, the simple act of stroking Amos or Kezia brought relief during what their parents quietly admitted might be their last Christmas together.
Kids danced with princesses, sang carols, and received gifts from Santa. Parents found a brief exhale, watching their children smile without pain in their eyes.

Throughout the day, God’s presence wove through every laugh, every moment of stillness, every gentle nuzzle. As one volunteer reflected, His love felt tangible, carried on soft fur, warm hands, and hopeful hearts.

Newark Airport: Two Dogs, a Terminal of Magic

At Newark Airport, Abraham and Beloved Comfort Dogs from Trinity in Hicksville, NY arrived with tails wagging, ready to serve. The Fantasy Flight here welcomed children experiencing illness, hardship, or special challenges, and the comfort dogs were among the first friendly faces they met.

Families approached cautiously at first, but soon kids were kneeling down, hugging the dogs, stroking their ears, whispering secrets meant only for canine companions. Abraham and Beloved gave each child exactly what they needed; whether a gentle nuzzle, a quiet moment, or simple presence in a day buzzing with excitement.

United staff and volunteers paused often to thank the team. Even in an airport filled with holiday spectacle, two golden dogs managed to be among the brightest lights.

When the children returned from their “North Pole” journey, Abraham and Beloved were waiting, reminding everyone that comfort doesn’t need grand gestures; sometimes it comes on four paws.

One Ministry, Many Hearts Touched

Across three airports, hundreds of volunteers, and countless tender moments, a single message shone through: Comfort brings hope. Connection brings healing. And God’s love can be shared in simple, powerful ways.

From O’Hare to Dulles to Newark, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams carried that love willingly through patient pauses, wagging tails, and unspoken understanding.

These Fantasy Flights are reminders that joy matters, that small moments can lift heavy burdens, and that God shows up—in the waiting areas, in the smiles, and in the soft fur of a golden retriever who quietly says, “You’re not alone.”

December 5 was not an easy one as family, friends, classmates, and teachers came together to say good-bye and honor Nico, a fun, sweet 13-year-old boy who attended Hampshire Middle School, IL. Though Nico’s life here on earth is gone, memories of his playfulness and imagination in everything he did are held closely by his family and friends. So are the qualities that made him unforgettable: Nico’s kindness, his humor, and his unmistakable love of the color orange—his signature shade that matched his vibrant personality.

To ease the burden of grief and offer a safe, comforting place of gentleness and care, seven LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams for Abednego (Immanuel - Crystal Lake, IL), Eunice (LCC Staff), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, IL), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's Janesville, WI), Michael (LCC Staff), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, IL) joined together to support Nico’s family and friends at both the visitation and service. The long line of family, friends, classmates, and teachers was a testament to just how deeply Nico was loved, and how greatly he will be missed. His bright light was seen and felt by so many during his short time here on earth.

We hold close in prayer Nico’s parents, his older brother, and his twin brother, whose hearts miss his laughter, his voice, and his playfulness. We pray that as they move forward, each hour of each day, they may be strengthened and comforted by the love of Jesus.

From a Handler
“It was evident from the number of people in attendance that Nico and his family were and are deeply loved. From where we were positioned, we had a clear view of the video and slideshow recapping Nico's short life. The immense amount of joy he shared in that short life was obvious from the video. Even through the hardships he endured, he seemed to spread joy to everyone around him.”

Another Handler Shared
“It was very moving and heartwarming to have young and old supporting the family and loving on our very special dogs. His two girl cousins sat for long times quietly petting Rejoice… who was so happy to sit and be with them! It was well worth the effort for the love of God we were able to share.”
​
In moments of deep sorrow, community becomes a shelter. Nico’s life—bright, imaginative, joyful—touched more people than he ever knew. And on this difficult day, those people gathered, comforted one another, and held his light together.