LCC Disaster Response Staff on Standby to Respond with Chainsaw Assistance after Hurricane Dorian9/10/2019
 And Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4: 39
After more than a week of watching Hurricane Dorian move slowly through the Bahamas and up the East Coast, leaving a path of destruction in its path, there is now great calm. Deaconess Sally Hiller, Southeastern District Disaster Response Coordinator has been in touch with Lutheran Church Charities to inquire about our willingness to respond with chainsaw assistance somewhere in their district after they can assess damage and determine church locations for work to commence from. Deaconess Hiller is reporting that there are trees down, debris from the winds, some flooding – but not what it could have been – nor what it was last year when Hurricane Florence hit. North Carolina’s Outer Banks, which include Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, are still cut off due to the storm surge and major flooding. There were also several tornadoes that spawned off the hurricane that have caused lots of tree and home damage in and around the Wilmington area and Myrtle Beach, North Carolina. LCC LERT teams are on standby, ready and willing to bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Pastor Andy Weden, North Wisconsin District Disaster Response Coordinator and Pastor Paul Scheunemann from Tabor Lutheran Church in Mountain, Wisconsin to deploy chainsaw Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) and much needed heavy equipment to help the residents with tornado recovery. Mountain is a small rural town of approximately 850 people located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin. Lutheran Church Charites LERT team members deployed August 22 through August 25 with chainsaw operators, draggers and heavy equipment, such as the boom lift, bobcats and tractors with grapples. Thirty-six LERT team members were able to complete work for 23 elderly or disabled congregation and community members that had multiple trees down or damaged surrounding their homes. 
A woman called Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, after receiving the phone number from one of our teams working in the area. The woman’s elderly mother had a tree on her roof and needed help to have it removed. Within an hour, we had a team begin working at the home. The next day, the daughter sent a message of thanks to Kathy for all who responded.
On Sunday, August 25, Rev. Dwayne Lueck, North Wisconsin District President traveled to Tabor Lutheran Church in Mountain. He visited the LCC LERT teams work sites with Kathy O’Day and personally thanked each team member for their willingness to serve in their district and to let them know what a blessing they are for what they do. It was very special that he took the time to come and express his appreciation to all.
The following LERT teams from several districts were represented:
LCC LERT teams continue to make a difference by showing those affected by disasters LCC’s mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need as we serve in this community.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.  Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Pastor Andy Weden, Northern Wisconsin District Disaster Coordinator and Pastor Paul Scheunemann from Tabor Lutheran Church in Mountain, Wisconsin to deploy chainsaw Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) and much needed heavy equipment to help with tornado recovery. Mountain is a small rural town of approximately 850 people located in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response has begun assessing the damage today and LCC LERT teams will be deployed to assist homeowners from August 22 through August 25 with chainsaw operators, draggers and heavy equipment, such as the boom lift, bobcats, tractors with grapples and the dump trailer. The tornado occurred on July 20 and downed hundreds of trees on properties throughout the town. Local LERT team and community members have been working as much as they can to clear properties. However, there are several congregation members that have multiple trees down or extensive damage surrounding their homes, including the elderly and a disabled veteran, all in need of advanced chainsaw assistance.
LCC LERT teams continue to make a difference by showing those affected by disasters LCC’s mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need as we serve in this community.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.  Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) completed the final flood recovery workday on Saturday, August 17 with Pastor Craig Meissner at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois. The following LERT teams were represented: Immanuel, Steger – Pastor Craig Meissner, Paul Sengstock Living Word, Orland Park – Pastor John Bucka, Ed Baids, Dale and Patricia Johnson Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Ron Johnson St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich St. Peter, Hampshire – Dan and Bobbie Swyndroski  The LERT team was able to help a 92 year-old congregation member remove very moldy furniture, walls and flooring from her basement to make her home safe again. They also cleaned the walls and floor. As she watched the walls and belongings being carried out to the curb, she couldn’t believe how bad the damage was, but understood how unhealthy it was for her if it remained in her home. She was very appreciative for all of the willing hands and caring hearts, and enjoyed visiting with the team members as they each took time to sit and talk with her. The LERT volunteers felt it was a blessing to serve.
Your donations to the LCC Disaster Response Fund are greatly needed to help LCC LERT teams physically assist homeowners impacted by disasters. Please keep Immanuel Lutheran Church and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. LCC Disaster Response LERT Teams Continue to Help Homeowners in Steger, Illinois with Flood Recovery8/14/2019
 Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was invited by Pastor Craig Meissner of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois to come and assist many of his congregation and community members who were still struggling with the flood recovery of their homes. On June 26 and 27, the towns of Steger, Crete and Chicago Heights in the Northern Illinois District had 6-8 inches of torrential rain fall overnight causing major flooding. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response spoke with many homeowners to assess the damage. LCC LERT teams completed a second flood recovery workday on Tuesday, August 6. These LERT team members from the following churches or teams were present: Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay Immanuel, Steger – Pastor Craig Meissner, Paul Sengstock, John Stachulak St. Peter, Hampshire – Dan & Bobbie Swyndroski
Immanuel Lutheran Church is going to follow up with her to provide other needed assistance. She shed tears of joy from unexpected blessings. She is a Christian woman and told us that she knew God had heard her prayers and sent angels to help her. She showed us her written prayer request of needs that she wrote that morning. She knew it was a sign that if she trusts in Him - God will provide for her needs. It was a blessing and a privilege to see how LCC’s mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need made a difference in her life.
Your donations to the LCC Disaster Response Fund are greatly needed to help LCC LERT teams continue to physically assist homeowners impacted by the floods. Please keep Immanuel Lutheran Church and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite.  Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was invited by Pastor Craig Meissner of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois to come and assist many of his congregation and community members who were still struggling with their flood recovery. On June 26 and 27, the towns of Steger, Crete and Chicago Heights in the Northern Illinois District had 6-8 inches of torrential rain fall overnight. According to the Will County Emergency Management Agency, flash flooding overwhelmed the roads and sewer systems and led to major flood damage to approximately 400 homes.
These LERT team members from the following churches or teams were present: Good Shepherd, Elgin – Tony Rusenovich, David Vollrath, Dawn Weltzein Immanuel, Mokena – DeLynn Flannery Immanuel, Richton Park – Barbara and Phyllis Stuenkel Immanuel, Steger – Pastor Craig Meissner, Paul Sengstock, John Stachulak King of Glory, Elgin – Gary Kessler Living Word, Orland Park – Dale Johnson Lord of Life, Elburn - Rob Geiger We were privileged to have Rev. John Donkoh, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, West Africa join our work team. He is visiting Lord of Life in Elburn, Illinois as they have supported his ministry and people for many years with donations and missionary trips to bring the love of Christ and improve living conditions for those the Church serves.  Each family that was assisted this weekend was very appreciative and extended many thanks and hugs to all who helped. Many of the homeowners were elderly or disabled. Lutheran Church Charities LERT teams will be returning for at least two more workdays in the coming weeks to continue to offer the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ and flood recovery assistance to those in need.
Your donations to the LCC Disaster Response Fund are greatly needed to help LCC LERT teams continue to physically assist homeowners impacted by the floods. Please keep Immanuel Lutheran Church and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put Boots on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite.
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance and 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 responded to the invite from Donna Williams, Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator to come and offer chainsaw assistance after an EF-4 tornado went through Linwood and Bonner Springs (Kansas) on May 28. The damage was very evident throughout these small towns. Lutheran Church Charities responded with boots on the ground by sending Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response to Linwood and Bonner Springs to help with assessments shortly after the tornado hit.
llinois Faith-Oak Lawn Immanuel-Palatine Immanuel-Shobonier Prince of Peace-Palatine St. John-Wheaton Trinity-Roselle Kansas St. John-Lincolnville Trinity-Basehor Zion-Newton Christ-Overland Park Our team members were welcomed by the congregations and the community. Everyone was very grateful for our willingness to travel and offer assistance.
The LERT team members believe it is a blessing to serve in the name of Jesus Christ! LCC thanks our LERT volunteers for their talents and dedication in servant hearts.
Please keep all of the tornado and flood impacted communities throughout the Midwest in your prayers, including all LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we serve those in need during our Kansas deployment. Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance and 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. |
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