Recently, a homeowner in Illinois faced a precarious situation when a tree fell during the derecho and was hanging in another tree. She couldn't afford to have the tree removed and didn't know what to do. Fortunately, a church elder from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora reached out to Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response for assistance. Volunteers Ed Boerman and Ed Schwartz from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle stepped in to help, and after their hard work, the homeowner's tree was removed and her home was safe once again. The homeowner was incredibly grateful and sent a note to Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, thanking the “Eds” for their hard work and care shown to her. "My tree is out and my home is safe! Both Eds did an amazing job. I’m so thankful to you and your organization. May God bless all of you!” This story is just one example of the impactful work that volunteers and donors make possible through Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! If you are moved to help, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC 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.
LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES' DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM SHARES EXPERTISE WITH WHEATON COLLEGE STUDENTS8/21/2024
On Monday, August 12, Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) lift and chainsaw volunteers removed hanging limbs over Pastor Noah Kegley’s home, as well as felled a dead pine tree along his property line. Kegley is the new pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Batavia, Illinois. He expressed appreciation for the servant hands and hearts of the following volunteers in making his home and property safe: Immanuel, Batavia – Bill Pietsch Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire Lord of Life, Elburn – Larry Zagorski St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
When disaster strikes, it can be overwhelming to pick up the pieces. Last week, the entire Northern Illinois District (NID) was affected by a derecho producing 70-110 mph winds, 39 tornadoes (with the NWS still surveying), and severe storms. On Monday evening, the derecho traveled 394 miles and, at times, was 60 miles wide across eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and northwest Indiana. All of this caused widespread power outages that lasted for many days, and a large path of uprooted and damaged trees and limbs, as well as some structural damage to homes and businesses in many towns. |
Working Together to Make a Difference
Bringing Relief to a Family with Significant Property Damage
The LERT volunteers brought relief to another family in need. Mr. and Mrs. B had their car and garage crushed by a large tree, and their home was damaged by a fallen tree from a neighbor's yard. Thankfully, LERT volunteers were able to carefully remove all of the debris in just three days, using their professional skills and equipment. Mr. and Mrs. B were grateful for our volunteers' willingness to return each day until the work was done - something they could not afford or do on their own. Our volunteers' compassionate approach and experienced sawyers made all the difference in restoring their home to safety. |
Twenty-Five LERT Volunteers Make Walcamp Safe to Reopen This Week
The team also removed a tree that had fallen into a trailer located in the family camp area. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the camp can now safely reopen this week.
We are honored to have been able to lend a helping hand and grateful for the opportunity to serve. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Director, expressed his heartfelt thanks to LCC and the LERT volunteers for their hard work, willingness, and dedication to serving when and wherever needed
Inspiring the Next Generation of Helpers
Our LERT volunteers are not only making a difference in the lives of families affected by natural disasters, but they are also inspiring the next generation of helpers! At another site, a young boy watched with excitement as our volunteers worked to remove broken limbs from a tree. He wanted to help out too! Our volunteers were patient and allowed him to participate, encouraging him every step of the way. The joy on his face was contagious, and everyone present was touched by his willingness to serve. |
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve!
More than 40 families from Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas, have requested help for chainsaw assistance and debris removal after suffering significant tree and wind damage to their homes and vehicles. Hundreds of thousands of Houston area residents are still without power.
In response, LCC President/CEO, Rev. Chris Singer coordinated the mobilization of the Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) from Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas.
Last week, LCC Human Care organized a resupply of Trinity Klein Lutheran's food pantry, which ran out of goods and groceries after a surge in need. "Orphan Grain Train and other distributors have stood up to help fill the shelves for the church and community, and we are so thankful for their donations of food and supplies," said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry.
Currently, Trinity Klein Lutheran is serving 150 families (or roughly 1,000 people) per day — a 50 percent increase from normal demand, said Lauren McCardell, director of the food pantry.
"We know families are beginning the long process of cleanup. In some cases, they are rebuilding their lives," LCC’s Snider said. "At such an important moment for them, we stand ready to offer emergency assistance, tangible goods, and most importantly, the comfort and hope found only in Jesus Christ.”
But additional assistance to provide food, logistics, and home-to-home support and care is still strongly needed, Singer emphasized. "Any financial support you can offer will go directly to helping families in the Houston area," Singer said.
Thanks to donors like you, LCC will continue to BE THERE to provide mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling and in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. Your faithful prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people affected by Beryl and those responding with help.
LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) leaders and volunteers began assessing damage and providing assistance to homeowners immediately with chainsaws, boom lifts, and heavy equipment. Currently, they have 21 requests for assistance and expect this list to grow during the week. LCC leadership is also reaching out to churches in the district to see if they or their congregation members may need assistance. LERT teams are ready to respond where needed. |
The LCC LERT team served out of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, using skid steers and the new LCC boom lift that was given to LCC Disaster Response by a generous donor. The team removed widow-makers (hazardous hanging branches caught high in the treetops), and dangerous trees and limbs left after an EF-3 tornado that struck the town six weeks ago.
Lutheran Church Charities and the Mid-South District extend their thanks to the following LERT volunteers:
ILLINOIS
Lord of Life, Elburn – Larry Zagorski
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Rich Wren
St. John’s, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
The family is very thankful for the team’s expertise in safely and efficiently removing all of the limbs without damaging their home. They are feeling safer now and can stop worrying that the next storm could cause further damage. All of the LERT volunteers are glad they could make a difference for several families and share the mercy, compassion, and presence of Christ with them.
If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC 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.
Lutheran Church Charities has deployed five Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw and heavy equipment volunteers to Rogers, Arkansas. They are working with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Mid-South District at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to remove widow-makers (hazardous hanging branches caught high in the treetops), and dangerous trees and limbs left after an EF-3 tornado that struck six weeks ago. The team is using skid steers and the new LCC boom lift that was given to LCC Disaster Response by a generous donor. |
Thanks to You, We Can BE THERE!
If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC 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.
Marty Johnson and Anna Piro from St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, drove their church's LERT equipment trailer to the show to support the LERT team and won the award for traveling the farthest to attend. The LERT team was available to answer questions and had equipment present for anyone interested in learning more about the tools that help the LERT teams perform their ministry to hurting communities.
The event also saw new people expressing an interest in becoming LERT certified, making it a successful day for St. John's.
LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O’Day and DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, have deployed for the last three weeks with 31 LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers to assist residents affected by this tornado. They were able to complete work at 31 homes, with half of these being multi-day sites due to the amount of trees down or damaged on their properties. The teams utilized a boom lift, three skid steers, and rigging skills to safely and efficiently remove these trees.
They reported that 93 homes have been left uninhabitable and another 248 with major to minor damage. Many businesses also were affected. They do not anticipate receiving a FEMA declaration, so they have been relying heavily on community and outside groups' assistance, like LCC Disaster Response.
The LCC LERT team worked for two and a half days at two homes that had at least 80 large trees down and damaged on either side of their long driveways, between the homes, and in their backyards. One of the homeowners sent a note of gratitude that stated, “Wow! How did we get so blessed by all of you! This whole process has been beyond words. Many thanks to all of you for the wonderful work you have done at our homes. You are all amazing!” |
They also were amazed that we would remove all the other downed trees from their yard. They showed the team an estimate they received for $50,000 to do all the work that the LERT volunteers did at no charge. They thanked each volunteer and told them what a blessing we have been to them.
Immanuel, Batavia – Bill Pietsch
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn, Terry Fuelling
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn – Kevin Krage, Max Metz, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley
St. John, Wheaton – Byron Heidorn, Marty Johnson, Anna Piro, Rich Wren
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed and Jan Boerman
Zion, Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif
INDIANA
Christ, Valparaiso – Milan Coburn
St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
WISCONSIN
Brookfield, Brookfield – Laura Ciletti, Roger Kautz
St. Paul, Grafton – Stu Natale
We thank our generous donors and appreciate your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.
Thanks to You, We Are Able to BE THERE!
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