Responding to Devastation

Eleven LCC LERT volunteers from the South Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Districts served this past week in Edwardsburg, MI—a community heavily impacted by EF3 tornadoes on March 10. Tragically, this storm claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left many families displaced, with homes and properties suffering varying levels of damage.

Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Pastor Paul Doellinger of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cassopolis, MI, to assist the neighboring community with chainsaw work. The church graciously hosted the LERT volunteers. Led by Mark Brueggemann, LCC Regional Crisis Manager (SWD), the team served at six homes during their deployment.

Restoring Property and Hope for an Elderly Widow

One of the team’s most impactful visits was to the home of an elderly widow whose property was covered with fallen trees. Her son, overwhelmed by the destruction of the home he grew up in, walked the team through the damage, repeatedly asking, “Where do I even begin?”

The LERT volunteers stepped in with compassion and determination, working diligently to restore order and safety. Their efforts brought not only physical relief but emotional comfort. At the end of the day, they presented the widow with a slice of one of her trees, carved with a cross and signed by the team. Overjoyed, she shared, “I can’t believe what you accomplished in just one day! Many thanks to all of you!”

While the team could not solve every challenge the family faced, they brought the presence, hope, and love of Jesus to those they served.

Helping Neighbors Rebuild and Feel Safe Again

The team also worked at two neighboring properties. At the first site, although some trees had already been removed by insurance crews, significant debris remained along the fence line. Volunteers cleared downed trees and limbs, restoring safety and accessibility.

Next door, a home had been severely damaged by large trees during the tornado. The homeowners and their four dogs had taken shelter inside during the storm—thankfully escaping injury, though understandably shaken. The property still required extensive chainsaw and pole saw work to remove dangerous hanging limbs and fallen trees.

Both homeowners expressed deep gratitude for the volunteers’ efforts and care. One even treated the team to pastries from a local bakery—a small but meaningful gesture of appreciation. It was truly a day of being a blessing to those in need.

A Grateful Community Response

At another site, the volunteers assisted Mr. B by removing two downed trees near his pond and clearing two trees leaning dangerously over railroad tracks behind his home. As with others, they presented him with a cross-carved slice of wood.

Later, he shared this message on social media:
“I received some much appreciated help from some volunteers from the Lutheran Church today. They cut up and cleared some trees and brush on my property from the tornado. They came from Wisconsin and truly cared for me while here. They even presented me with a plaque they made from my cut wood. God bless them all!”

Serving with Willing Hearts

LCC Disaster Response extends sincere thanks to the following LERT volunteers for their faithful and compassionate service:

Illinois

• Zion, Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif

Wisconsin

• Brookfield, Brookfield – Laura Ciletti
• Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls – Roger Kautz
• St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Bev Brueggemann, Stu Natale
  
• St. Paul, Sheboygan Falls – James Fasse, Mark and Jody LaPean, Pete Strains
  
  

Through their hands-on service and heartfelt compassion, these volunteers made a lasting impact—helping not only to clear debris, but to restore hope in a community recovering from tragedy.

For Mr. and Mrs. G of Kankakee, IL, the damage started on their block — but the real destruction of homes and a church was just down the street.

The powerful EF-3 tornado that tore through Illinois and into Indiana on March 10 had left their home among the 500 in Kanakee County that were damaged or destroyed. From their basement, they could hear the 150 mph winds slamming limbs against the house, and when it was all over, the tree damage was astounding. How would they ever clean this all up?  

But this week, some “angels in orange” were in their yard with the 64-foot Nifty Lift and rigging to remove dangerous trunk splits, hanging limbs, and leaning trees. “[They] were sent by God to restore hope to us and our community.”

LCC Disaster Response and Luthern Early Response Team volunteers continued a second week of tree cutting, debris removal, and cleanup work in Kankakee, Aroma Park, and St. Anne out of home base St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kankakee.

Since March 12, about 70 LERT helpers from 25 LCMS churches in the Northern Illinois district have completed 547 volunteer hours at 29 homes and the church building.

With national storm relief groups leaving at the end of the week, LCC is making plans to stay.

Invited by Pastor Roger Drinnon of St. Paul Kankakee, LCC Disaster Response anticipates more requests for assistance and stands ready to respond. 

LCC volunteers have been helping church members and community residents take the first steps of the long road to recovery. In hard-hit neighborhoods like Aroma Park, teams are not just cutting limbs and clearing debris — they’re salvaging belongings, listening to survivors’ stories, offering prayer, and bringing comfort in moments of deep loss.

The National Weather Service calculates that the Illinois/Indiana tornado was a half-mile wide at its strongest and cut a swath on the ground for about 37 miles. It touched back down again in Indiana for another 22 miles. The storm resulted in three deaths and scores of injuries.

One St. Paul family had a downed oak tree in their front yard so large that LCC volunteers had to use the 36-inch saw to cut the trunk into slices that could be safely moved the street for pickup. Other homeowners had tree damage and no resources to clear them on their own. LERT volunteers stepped in.

“Each family expressed their thanks for the gracious assistance and caring shown to them,” said Kathy O’Day, director of LCC Disaster Response. “We were thankful for the beautiful weather — finally!”

At the mayor’s house in Aroma Park, IL, it was another two-day job. The mayor himself helped the team drag limbs and sort through debris, thankful for all the work done to make his yard safe again for his family and friends.

“He told us that he knew the lives of this tight-knit community would be changed forever and the destruction was difficult to see, knowing that so many people are displaced,” O’Day said.

Over the weekend, large properties in Kankakee and Aroma Park also were two-day sites due to the number of trees downed and damaged. One homeowner told the team she couldn’t believe the progress they made — but she was particularly touched by the joy they showed in serving.

A Storm That Changed Everything

On the evening of March 10, a powerful EF-3 tornado with winds reaching 150 mph tore through Kankakee County, Illinois, and into Indiana—leaving behind a trail of devastation that spanned nearly 37 miles and stretched half a mile wide.

Communities including Kankakee, Aroma Park, and St. Anne were hit hard. Homes were flattened. Trees were uprooted. Entire neighborhoods were left unrecognizable. Three lives were lost, and many more were injured.

For countless families, everything changed in a matter of minutes.

Homes, vehicles, businesses, and treasured belongings were gone. In their place stood debris, uncertainty, and the overwhelming question of where to begin.

A Rapid Response Rooted in Compassion

The call for help came quickly.

At the invitation of Pastor Roger Drinnon of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kankakee, IL,  Lutheran Church Charities mobilized both its Disaster Response and K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.

By the very next morning, LCC Director of Disaster Response Deaconess Kathy O’Day and Southwest Suburban Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) leader Mark Razny were on the ground, meeting with the pastor, contacting affected congregation and school families, surveying accessible damage, and coordinating with the Emergency Operations Center to offer support. 

Within 48 hours, LERT volunteers were already serving.

Operating out of St. Paul’s, they stepped into devastated neighborhoods, ready to do whatever was needed.

The Work Begins: Clearing Debris, Carrying Burdens

By Thursday, March 12, chainsaws roared to life and teams got to work.

LERT volunteers began helping families salvage what they could from uninhabitable homes—sorting through debris, packing belongings, cutting downed trees, and clearing yards.

But the work quickly became about much more than cleanup.

It became about people.

Throughout the week, teams listened to story after story, accounts of the terrifying sounds of the storm, the chaos of the aftermath, and the emotional toll that lingered long after the skies cleared.

Families were overwhelmed. Exhausted. Trying to navigate insurance, loss, and uncertainty all at once.

And in the middle of it all, LERT volunteers stayed.

They listened.
They prayed.
They offered hugs.
They showed up—again and again.

“I Felt Lost… But You Gave Me Hope”

In one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in Aroma Park, volunteers spent three days working alongside a family connected to St. Paul.

Their home—and their vehicles—had been completely destroyed, just like so many others in the neighborhood.

Over those three days, the team helped salvage, pack, and move what belongings remained. They cleared debris scattered across the yard and used chainsaws to remove multiple downed trees.

But what stayed with the team most wasn’t the work—it was the words of the homeowner.

She shared that she felt “so sad, lost, and disoriented” after losing her family home and treasured items passed down from her parents.

And yet, in the middle of that grief, she clung to her faith—and saw something meaningful in the presence of the volunteers.

She believed they were sent to bring her hope, help, and care exactly when she needed it most

The Power of Presence

For much of the week, LERT volunteers remained in the same hard-hit Aroma Park neighborhood.
That consistency made a difference.

As days passed, neighbors who had initially been strangers became familiar faces. Conversations grew deeper. Trust was built.

“It is amazing how being present for three days in the same neighborhood makes a difference,” one team member reflected.

Not just in the amount of work completed—but in what couldn’t be measured:

Restored hope.
Shared tears.
Moments of connection in the middle of chaos.

Even beyond Aroma Park, teams traveled to other affected areas—helping congregation and school families remove fallen trees and begin the slow process of recovery.

Meeting Needs at Every Level

As the response continued, LERT volunteers also served at the Kankakee County Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC)—a one-stop location where disaster survivors could access support from government agencies, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations.

There, the teams connected residents with chainsaw and debris removal services, helping them take the next step forward.

But just as importantly, they offered something else:

A listening ear.
A prayer.
A reminder that hope still exists—even in the hardest moments.

That same spirit of service extended beyond the immediate tornado zone.

On Thursday, as Northern Illinois experienced powerful wind gusts reaching 45–70 mph, new damage continued to impact families already facing difficult circumstances. When a large tree fell in the yard of a family connected to Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, LERT volunteers responded immediately.
Jon Bartelt, Carl Fischer, and Steve Wright arrived that same day to cut and remove the tree, working alongside the homeowner and his father to clear the yard. The wood was even hauled to a neighbor’s home for future use.

It was a simple act—but a meaningful one.

In a time when needs continue to emerge, their quick response reminded this family that they were not alone , and that help can arrive right when it’s needed most.

Healing Beyond the Debris: Comfort Dogs in Indiana

While chainsaws and cleanup efforts continue in Illinois this week, another kind of healing is taking place just across the state line in Indiana.

In Lake Village and Roselawn—small communities deeply impacted by the same storm—families were navigating their own devastating losses. Twenty-six homes were destroyed. Dozens more were left unlivable. Over 1,100 power lines were down.

In the midst of cleanup efforts, tragedy struck again when a volunteer lost their life after being hit by debris.

The heaviness in the community was undeniable.

When students finally returned to school, many carried fear, grief, and uncertainty with them.

That’s when the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry stepped in.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eternity and and Magdalene (Cornerstone - Carmel, Indiana) visited Lake Village Elementary in Lake Village, IN, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), and Michael (LCC Staff) were present at Lincoln Elementary. 

Moments That Matter

Throughout the day, small moments carried enormous meaning.

Two young girls whose home had been hit smiled as they gently petted the dogs.

A third-grade boy, after spending time with them, declared:
“This is the best day ever!”

One handler described the day in a single word:
“Uplifting—to see so many people smiling in the face of adversity.”

Another chose the word:
“Supportiveness.”

They witnessed teachers delivering food and milk to families, checking in on students, and supporting one another in the days after the storm.

They saw students doing the same—comforting friends, sharing stories, and showing deep care for those who had lost more.

Resilience in Its Purest Form

“I was most impressed with the resilience of the children,” one team member shared. “Despite the recent tragedies, most of the kids seemed happy to be back at school with their friends—and grateful for the comfort dogs.”

Even students who hadn’t experienced damage themselves were deeply aware of others.

“They almost all knew someone who did,” a handler noted. “And they were very concerned for them.”

One young boy, hesitant at first, didn’t want to interact with the dogs. But later, when his class returned, he sat on the floor. A Comfort Dog named Michael gently placed his head on the boy’s knee.

That was all it took.

“He was a happy camper.”

A Quiet Moment of Healing

One of the most powerful moments came from a quiet fifth-grade boy.

At first, he stood at a distance while others gathered around the dogs. He left—but then returned. And then came back again.

Finally, he stepped into the circle of students, sat down, and wrapped his arms around two Comfort Dogs—pulling them close and holding them there.

No words.
No explanations.
Just a moment of healing.

“He stayed with them for a very long time,” the handler shared.

Unity in the Midst of Loss

Another word used to describe the day:
“Unity.”

“The school, the community showed amazing unity,” one handler reflected. “It was refreshing to be a part of people loving on people.”

In classrooms and hallways, students hugged one another, shared laughter, and told stories—small but powerful signs that healing had already begun.

The Work Continues

The road to recovery will be long for these communities.

Homes must be rebuilt. Lives must be pieced back together. Grief must be processed.

But they are not alone.

Lutheran Church Charities’ Disaster Response teams will continue clearing debris and walking alongside families. Comfort Dog teams will continue bringing calm, connection, and moments of peace.

Because long after the storm has passed, the need remains.

And so does the response.

Last week, three Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) members from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, IL, traveled to Spartanburg, SC, to meet with local agencies and assess ongoing recovery needs nearly a year and a half after Hurricane Helene. Their visit followed a conversation with Sally Hiller, Southeastern District Disaster Response Coordinator (SED DDRC), at the LCMS Disaster Conference in September 2025, which highlighted that significant unmet needs still remain.

While in Spartanburg, the team met with Lilia Millner from Spartanburg County’s Recovery Mitigation Team and Mayana from SCOR (South Carolina Office of Resilience). These agencies work at the federal level to provide disaster case management. They shared that long-term recovery is expected to continue through 2030, with approximately 300 homeowners still needing some form of assistance. Current needs range widely and include chainsaw work, removal of fallen trees and root balls, major mold remediation, home rebuilding and repairs, replacement of household items, heating and air conditioning sources, wheelchair ramps, and more.

Lilia identified three specific homeowners whose houses are nearly complete, thanks to volunteer Mennonite construction crews and the Salvation Army, which is providing appliances and beds. However, additional support is still needed to help these families fully transition back home. This includes household supplies such as kitchenware, linens, and basic furnishings. The Trinity team met with each homeowner to better understand their individual situations and to develop detailed wish lists.

Trinity Lutheran’s congregation and LERT volunteers will work to help meet these needs so the families can move back into their newly rebuilt homes by the end of March.

Lilia also noted that Southeastern District LERT’s chainsaw and construction work has been “a godsend,” while emphasizing that much more work remains. Lutheran Church Charities will continue conversations with these agency partners, along with Sally Hiller, SED DDRC, to explore how they can further collaborate to support families affected by Hurricane Helene in both North and South Carolina.

In the wake of fierce August storms that tore through Northern Illinois—toppling trees, damaging homes, and leaving dangerous debris—Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers answered the call to serve.

Over the course of eleven days, 43 LERT chainsaw volunteers completed work at 23 sites in Batavia, Belvidere, Carpentersville, Darien, Lisle, and Wheaton, Illinois. Using their training and equipment—including bobcats, tractors, and boom lifts—they dedicated 451 volunteer hours to serve both homeowners and churches. More importantly, they shared the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those facing loss after the storm.

The final three homeowner sites required advanced lift and rigging techniques to carefully remove a large tree, bringing it down limb by limb without damaging nearby homes, sheds, or power lines. Throughout the day, two neighboring residents watched the team’s progress, offering food and drinks in gratitude. By evening, the dangerous tree was gone, and the neighbors expressed deep relief and joy. “You were truly a blessing,” they told the volunteers.

These efforts followed the August 16 microbursts and straight-line windstorms that swept across the LCMS Northern Illinois District. The storms left behind uprooted trees, broken limbs, damaged homes, and downed power lines, creating hazardous conditions for families and congregations.

In the immediate aftermath, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response staff and LERT volunteers immediately assessed needs and provided hands-on help to those in need.

LCC Disaster Response was sent a thank you note from a family in Belvidere to share with the team that did all-day lift work at their home. Part of it reads: "Philippians 2:3-4 states, '…value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others.' Nothing epitomizes the work of the LERT volunteers more than the note above. What gracious servants of the Lord all of you are! We appreciate all that was done and cannot thank you enough."

LCC Disaster Response extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and talents to help families recover from this disaster. Special appreciation also goes to Immanuel, Belvidere for graciously hosting volunteers each morning as they served in one of the hardest-hit communities.

On August 16, powerful microbursts and straight-line wind storms tore through towns across the LCMS Northern Illinois District, leaving behind widespread destruction. Uprooted trees, broken limbs, damaged homes, and downed power lines created dangerous conditions for many families and congregations.

In the aftermath, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response staff and Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers immediately stepped in to serve. Equipped with compassion and chainsaws, they began assessing needs and providing hands-on help to those affected.

Last week, LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers answered God’s call to serve, traveling from across the country to Hendersonville, North Carolina. Serving out of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, these teams brought more than chainsaws and construction tools—they brought compassion and spiritual encouragement to those still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

LCC disaster response staff, chainsaw instructors and experienced volunteers helped two new New York teams from St. James Lutheran Church in St. James and Calvary Lutheran Church in East Meadows received in-depth chainsaw training while serving on homeowner sites, which has prepared them to serve with skill and confidence in future deployments.

With 15 chainsaw sites and 2 construction projects completed—totaling 554 volunteer hours—this week’s ministry demonstrated that LERT’s work is about more than cleanup. It’s about restoring hope, encouraging the weary, and sharing Christ’s love with every saw cut, every conversation, and every prayer lifted in service.

Here are the stories. 

Feeding Body and Spirit
Behind every chainsaw and hammer was the dedicated team from Trinity Lutheran, Athens, GA, serving meals out of their food trailer to nourish both body and spirit. Their faithful service ensured volunteers stayed energized, ready to continue sharing God’s love through action.

A Nationwide Mission of Service
This ministry was made possible by the faithful partnership of churches and volunteers from across the country:

Atlantic District
Calvary, East Meadows NY – Nick Caputo, Pastor Sean Chapman
St. James, St. James NY – Alex Hartmann, Eric and Meredith Johansson, Doug Miller, Jacob Mittelstaedt, Pastor Neil Mittelstaedt, Tony Romano, Jim Sauer, Ken Seltzer, Don Smith
St. John, Holbrook NY – Chris Polley
St. John’s, Sayville NY – Steve Lindfors
Florida-Georgia District
Trinity, Athens GA – David Bacastow, Charles Bissett, Pastor Tim Davis, Marty Lambert, Jessica O’Rear
Our Redeemer, Jacksonville FL – Richard Paris

Northern Illinois District
Immanuel, Dekalb IL – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee IL – Matt Flynn
Prince of Peace, Palatine IL – Jim Beckley
St. John, Dillsboro IN – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
Southeastern District
Hope, Wake Forest NC – David Critchley

South Wisconsin District
St. Paul, Janesville WI – Lark Sanders

LCC also thanks Mt Pisgah in Hendersonville and Trinity in Tryon for sending many flood recovery supplies back with us for the South Wisconsin flooding that just occurred.

Make This Ministry Possible
LCC Disaster Response relies on the generosity of donors to fund training, equipment, and deployments like this one. Your gift helps volunteers continue bringing God’s love to families in need.

Disaster Response volunteers and staff from Lutheran Church Charities are continuing cleanup efforts and bringing a comforting presence to residents of Milwaukee, WI, and its suburbs after historic flooding devastated the area earlier in August. In a two-day span over August 9-10, the region received about 10 inches of rain.
 
Rising water prompted hundreds of rescue calls across Milwaukee and adjacent suburbs as four rivers crested at record levels, representing a 1,000-year flood event.
 
In response, LCC affiliate church Brookfield Lutheran is serving as a hub for disaster response, providing meals, phone hotline help, and Spiritual First Aid™ assistance. On Sunday, the church welcomed dozens of community members for a free breakfast and a time of worship, specifically sitting with them and listening to their stories, said Brookfield relief coordinator Mary Stafford-Nunez.

LCC Disaster Response is also on-site to make assessments and provide first-stage help with mucking, gutting, drying, and mold treatment. LCC is providing Tyvek suits and boots for LERT workers.

 “The first step has been to establish intake for case management files and help people start the recovery process,” said Mark Brueggemann, LCC Crisis/Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern Wisconsin District. “This was the kind of flooding you see with a hurricane. A lot of people don’t have insurance coverage.”
 
Help is also coming from North Carolina. Trinity Lutheran in Tryon, N.C., which dealt with flooding in April, is donating mold remediation cleaner and other items.
 
The list of families needing help grows each day. Please keep the people of southern Wisconsin in your prayers during these difficult days and consider making a gift to help the recovery efforts of LCMS families.