Category: Disaster Response

LCC Disaster Response Help Needed – Hurricane Florence (NC and VA), Continued Recovery in Wisconsin Flooding, and Tornadoes

9/18/2018

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. - Isaiah 40:1

The effects of Hurricane Florence are devastating and it’s not over. The destruction Hurricane Florence is leaving in its path through North and South Carolina and Virginia caused tens of thousands of families to evacuate their homes, massive power outages continue to increase, and families are left overwhelmed on how they will recover. This hurricane is moving very slowly, dropping recording-breaking rainfall, causing high storm surges, and uprooting massive trees. It has resulted in major flooding affecting thousands of homes, businesses, and also loss of life. In addition to all of this are recent tornadoes in Virginia as well.

Tim Hetzner, President / CEO, Lutheran Church Charities has been in contact with Rev. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer, Directors of LCMS Disaster Response, who are working with the LCMS Southeastern District’s (SED) Disaster Response Coordinator, Deaconess Sally Hiller, and reaching out to all pastors in the affected areas. Several LCMS churches report that they have sustained considerable damage as well as entire neighborhoods and towns within the communities they serve. Because this storm is moving slowly, most people are still under evacuation orders and have not yet been able to assess their homes for damage. Understanding the full impact of this disaster cannot begin until the storm ends

Donate - Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Fund

Donate - Hurricane Florence K-9 Travel Fund

LCC Disaster Response has been asked by the Southeastern District to come in and help. LCC will deploy to assist in Hurricane Florence recovery. LCC LERT teams have been asked to be on standby to deploy to the hardest hit areas to provide assistance with pumping out water from churches and homes, mucking and gutting, and providing chainsaw assistance. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams are also ready to deploy to provide mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

LCC Disaster Response Supports LCMS South Wisconsin District in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Flood Recovery

Over a two-week period beginning in late August, a sizeable region in West Central Wisconsin received a substantial amount of rain causing flooding in six counties. LCC Disaster Response is supporting Pastor Jonah Burakowski, Executive Assistant to the President for Missions and Human Care, South Wisconsin District – LCMS in this recovery effort.

The Office of Mission and Human Care is coordinating with St. Paul Lutheran Church in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, to establish a volunteer relief center to work there and in surrounding communities. Work will include mucking (cleaning) out houses, moving furniture and appliances, removing carpet and other flooring, hanging dry wall, taping, mudding, and assisting community members with other tasks. Many families have substantial damage or lost everything.

volunteer for the Wisconsin floods

Donate - Wisconsin Disaster Relief Fund

Please join LCC in praying for all of the families impacted by the recent devastating storms and for all of the first responders, LERT teams, and volunteers helping those in need.

Because LCC will be spread out throughout the country right now, your prayers and assistance are needed to help us serve those affected in various areas and states.

Thank you for all of your support in being Jesus to those suffering.

Peace in Jesus Christ,

Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities

Donate - LCC Disaster Response

LCC Disaster Response Teams and Volunteers Help 32 Families Recover from Tornado Damage in Cascade, Wisconsin

9/11/2018

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response returned to Cascade, Wisconsin this past weekend to work with Pastor Richard Bidinger of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, offering chainsaw assistance to homeowners after an EF-1 tornado on August 28 damaged an overwhelming number of trees throughout the community. With all of the willing hands, hearts and heavy equipment, LCC was able to complete 20 more sites this weekend. Over two consecutive weekends, LCC completed 32 job sites by cutting and hauling away hundreds of trees for homeowners, relieving them of overwhelming physical and financial burdens. The mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ was very evident.

Donate - LCC Disaster Relief - Wisconsin

Caring for Cascade
Tim Hetzner, LCC President / CEO, speaks with Pastor Richard Bidinger about the day the tornado hit Cascade and how LCC Disaster Response, LERT Chainsaw teams, and the community have come together to begin clearing the devastation that occurred. First hand, this community has seen faith in action and experienced the love of Jesus. Through LCMS churches, LCC and our dedicated volunteers, they responded with, "Here I am Lord, send me."

Pastor Bidinger interview

Representing Jesus in Disaster
Jenny, Pastor Bidinger’s wife, shares with Tim how she has been coping with the aftermath of the tornado and how their church can represent Jesus to the community.

Jenny Bidinger interview

LCC once again responded with boots on the ground doing assessments on Friday, September 7, and brought LERT chainsaw teams and heavy equipment to work Saturday and Sunday, September 8-9. They were also joined by many volunteers from local churches and the community.

‘It’s rewarding:’ Volunteers from Chicago church help with storm cleanup in Cascade
(Saturday, September 8, 2018 – Fox 6 Now / Madeline Anderson

view broadcast

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lila (Beautiful Savior – Mequon, Wisconsin), Rhoda (Prince of Peace – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin) and their handlers visited homeowners and volunteers on Saturday with Pastor Bidinger and his wife, bringing comfort and stress relief to impacted families.

LERT Chainsaw Team & Family Working Together
An elderly couple had 16 large evergreen trees fall and were very overwhelmed as to how to get them removed. They knew that they would not be able to afford to pay to have it done professionally. The LCC LERT team and this couple’s family worked together for the day to cut down and haul away all of these trees to the dump. They were so pleased and could not thank the team enough. The LERT team were told they are now family!

Watch McKenna sharing their story

LCC Boom Lift Helps Clear Extensive Tree Damage
This family had returned from vacation after the tornado to find at least 50 trees down on their property, including on their roof. Last week, the LERT teams carefully removed all the trees from the roof and helped with some of the downed trees. This weekend, the LERT boom lift operators worked on this site to remove tree limbs dangling over a mobile home on their property, as well as some other widow makers in their yard. They are very grateful for all of the assistance and professionalism of volunteers working with equipment to help them in their time of need.

Dealing with Disaster
Brenda and her husband realized that even with the help from their family, somtimes. you need help from others in times of disaster. Her husband told her that "I've been praying and praying and wondering how we're going to get this all cleaned up. The Lord answered my prayers."

Brenda Shultz Shares Her Story

Wisconsin LERT & Volunteers:
St. Paul’s – Cascade: Dominick Kowalczyk, Dominick Kowalczyk II, Sam Tiller, Gene Lodico, Jeff Seider, Dennis Dyken, Dennis Weinhold, Bonnie Feiber, Pastor Richard, Jenny, Tricia and Ethan Bidinger, Bethany Schneider, Troy Schneider
St. Paul’s – Sheboygan Falls: Richard Boeniecht
Good Shepherd – Sheboygan: Pastor David Blas
Waldo Fire Department: Lester Laack
Boy Scout Troop 885 – Sheboygan Falls: Pat Waitkul, Ryan, Becky and Jake Syverson, Andy and Zach Schleicher, Mary and Charlie Waitkus

Northern Illinois LERT:
Cross Lutheran – Yorkville: Derek & Amy Kowalczyk, Dave Braden, Joel Danker
Trinity – Lisle: Mike Kostecki,
Immanuel – Belvidere: Bob Schwarzkopf, Bernie & Janet Zimdahl, Robert Koehn, Mark Gutzler, Mike Perry
St. Peter’s – North Plato: Bob Warfel, Danny & Bobbie Swyndroski, Pete & Christel Springmire
St. John – Wheaton: Marty Johnson, Anna Piro, Palmer & Judy Goodwin, Jim Braun
Lord of Life – Elburn: Matthew Byars, Terry & Mary Kramer, John Griffin, Ken Johnston
Trinity – Tinley Park: Joel Powless
Our Savior – Burlington: Ron Schowengerdt
Shepherd of the Hills – McHenry: Ron Jones

Lutheran Church Charities thanks all of the LERT teams and volunteers for the many hours they dedicated to helping families in Cascade, Wisconsin. Thank you to this wonderful community for working closely with us and making us feel so welcomed

Donate - LCC Disaster Relief - Wisconsin

LCC Disaster Response Staff, LERT Chainsaw Teams and Volunteers Help Wisconsin Homeowners After Storm Damage

9/4/2018

Teams Returning This Weekend

Lutheran Church Charities responded to the invite from Pastor Richard Bidinger of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cascade, Wisconsin, and the South Wisconsin District – LCMS, to offer chainsaw assistance after an EF-1 tornado leveled hundreds of trees throughout the town on the evening of August 28. Some homeowners lost 50+ trees on their property while others lost only a few. The devastation is widespread and very noticeable in a town of approximately 700 people.

Lutheran Church Charities responded with boots on the ground doing assessments on Thursday and brought LERT chainsaw teams and heavy equipment to work on homeowner properties over the Labor Day holiday weekend, Friday through Monday.

Rev. Dr. John Wille, South Wisconsin District President, and Pastor Jonah Burakowski, Executive Assistant to the President for Missions and Human Care, South Wisconsin District – LCMS, have extended their gratitude to LCC and our volunteers for assistance given to their district which has suffered widespread devastation.

‘Overwhelmed:’ Volunteers from Illinois help Cascade residents after tornado hit Sheboygan County
(Sunday, September 2, 2018 – Fox 6 Now / Madeline Anderson)

view broadcast

Property Now Safe for Jeff
Chainsaw team members from St. John Wheaton worked at Jeff’s home. He was so pleased with their work and the concern they had for him. He walks slowly with crutches or rides a gator in the yard. He had several crabapple trees that were downed and apples strewn throughout his yard. After the team cleared trees and limbs, they raked all the apples up to give him a safe and clear area to get around.

Helping Overwhelmed Homeowners
This land was featured on the Fox 6 news story before 8 LERT team members began a hard day of working with the homeowners clearing their property. They are so grateful and cannot believe the difference a couple days can make. Although they will have more to do, it no longer seems so daunting and overwhelming.

Widow Uplifted After Asking for Help
A widow came to the church to ask for help on Monday morning after seeing LCC on Fox 6 news. She has multiple trees down, and although some family had been working to clear the trees, all were tired and overwhelmed. We sent a team right over and helped for a couple hours, which in her words, “was just uplifting and such a welcome surprise of assistance.”

Help is on the Way
After seeing the Fox 6 news story, this gentleman came into the church on Monday morning to ask for help. He has been clearing trees all weekend with his son, had injured his arm when a branch fell on him, and was just exhausted and overwhelmed. Pastor Bidinger and an LCC staff member went to his home, saw his damage, and listened to his story. We told him we would send a team next week to help him and to get some rest. He was very happy to be heard and to know that help was coming soon.

LCC Disaster Response is blessed to have dedicated LERT team members who have a servant heart for using their time and talents to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Volunteers who responded to the LERT call to go to Wisconsin came from Northern Illinois, South Wisconsin and St. Louis, Missouri.

Northern Illinois LERT:
Cross Lutheran – Yorkville: Derek Kowalczyk
Trinity – Lisle: Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki, Dick Sonntag
Immanuel – Belvidere: Bob Schwarzkopf, Bernie & Janet Zimdahl
St. Peter’s – North Plato: Bob Warfel, Danny & Bobbie Swyndrowski
Prince of Peace – Palatine: Jim Beckley
St. John – Wheaton: Marty Johnson, Anna Piro, Jan Gerveske, Roy Rose
Edison Park Lutheran – Chicago: David Gates, Werner Calder
Lord of Life – Elburn: Larry Zagorski, Matthew Luhman, Dave Smercina
Good Shepherd – Elgin: David Vollrath

Wisconsin LERT:
St. Paul’s – Cascade: Dominick Kowalczyk
Trinity – Sheboygan: Tim & Karen Fischer
Menomonee Falls: Todd Sickle

Missouri LERT:
New Beginnings – St. Louis: Chris Adams

LCC LERT teams have been welcomed by the congregation and community. All are very grateful for our willingness to travel to their small town and offer this assistance. We will be returning to help again this weekend as there is still much work to be done. Please continue to pray for everyone who has been affected by the recent storms in Wisconsin and for the safety of the LERT team members who are helping them during the recovery. Your donations will directly assist churches, individuals, and families during the recovery process.

LCC Disaster Relief - Wisconsin

Special Appeal - LCC Disaster Response Deploys Early Friday to Wisconsin

8/31/2018

LCC Disaster Response Staff and Volunteers Deploying to Wisconsin Early Friday Working in Two Separate Areas
Storm Recovery to EF1 Tornado in Cascade Severe Flooding in Coon Valley

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

On Thursday, August 30, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was invited by Pastor Richard Bidinger of St. Paul's in Cascade, Wisconsin and Pastor Jonah Burakowski, Executive Assistant to the President for Missions and Human Care - South Wisconsin District - LCMS, to assist with tree removal resulting from an EF1 tornado that hit the area on Tuesday, August 28. LCC Chainsaw Team Leader, Derek Kowalczyk, was on site the same day to assess damage with Pastor Bidinger to determine where the LCC LERT Chainsaw teams could be of assistance.

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, will arrive in Cascade early Friday morning, August 31, to continue damage assessment and begin scheduling the disaster relief efforts. LCC LERT Chainsaw teams will also deploy early Friday and will begin clean-up efforts early afternoon, including tree removal damage from St. Paul's property, including the church cemetery where trees fell on a veteran's tombstone. The impacts are so great that many trees were either split in half or completely uprooted. Additional storms are predicted throughout the weekend so urgent clean-up efforts are needed. Flooding continues from the storms. Pump outs and muck and gut relief efforts will begin in this area once storms have stopped and additional damage assessments made.

Pastor Jonah Burakowski will be coordinating LERT teams this Saturday through Monday to do muck outs in the hard hit area of Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Some homes here have been swept off their foundations and others have had several feet of water in them. These teams will be working out of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Pastor also reported that many towns along the rivers are completely underwater and inaccessible with river levels still rising and more rain predicted this weekend.

Please help LCC share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Your donations will directly assist churches, individuals and families affected by the recent storms.

Thank you for all of your support in touching lives with the Presence of Jesus Christ - our only hope!

Peace in Jesus Christ,

Donate - Disaster Relief Wisconsin

LCC Disaster Response to Help with Flood Recovery in Madison, Wisconsin

8/28/2018

On Monday, August 27, Tim Hetzner, LCC President / CEO and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, were contacted by Pastor Jonah Burakowski, Executive Assistant to the President for Missions and Human Care, South Wisconsin District – LCMS, for assistance with flood recovery efforts in Madison, Wisconsin. LCC LERT teams have been requested to help with pumping out water and to muck and gut flooded homes when it is safe to do so.

Parts of Madison received 14" of rain last week and 9" on Sunday night. Strong thunderstorms dropped up to 12" of rain in western and central Wisconsin early Tuesday morning, causing significant flooding. 11” of rain hit LaCrosse and Fox Valley Counties during the day on Tuesday which caused new flooding in areas that previously were not impacted. Severe storms remain in the forecast throughout the week for the hardest hit areas in Madison.

Currently, the Wisconsin National Guard are sandbagging and doing water rescues for families surrounded by the floods. Approximately 200 families have already been displaced in Madison/Monona. On Tuesday, 1,200 homes were evacuated in the Isthmus area as flood levels continue to rapidly rise.

Please help LCC share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Your donations are greatly needed to help individuals and families affected by the flood.

Donate - Disaster Response - Madison, WI Flooding

LCC and Your Donations Help Families Displaced by Fire Move to New Housing

8/21/2018

Lutheran Church Charities is continuing to partner with the Prospect Heights Police Department’s victim advocates to provide assistance to residents affected by the fire. LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O'Day has been able to assist 5 more families in need this week with rental assistance. Each family also receives a handmade quilt from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine. Each of these families are so appreciative and amazed at our willingness to assist them as we work collaboratively with the town of Prospect Heights. Many families are still trying to find housing and LCC is ready and willing to assist as needed.

Donate - Prospect Heights Fire Fund

Elburn Days Evening Parade

8/21/2018

This past weekend, the Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Elburn, Illinois) LERT team pulled their trailer in the Elburn Days evening parade. They passed out construction hats that said, “We work for God.” Through Thrivent they were also able to pass out 1000 bracelets and mini flashlights with biblical sayings. It was a fun evening for the LERT team and gave the church a chance to show how they are an integral part of the community.

Donate - Disaster Response Fund

Boom Lift Utilized

8/21/2018

Lutheran Church Charities advanced chainsaw boom lift operators assisted St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rochelle, Illinois to safely remove two trees that were damaged in a recent storm. The team members present were:

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle
Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki, Kandace Elliott, Chris Collins

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hampshire
Pete and Christel Springmire

St. John Lutheran Church, Wheaton
Steve Chester, Dave Mummah, Richard Wren, Byron Heidorn

Trinity, Roselle
Kristin Bilar

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, McHenry
Alan Holmes

St. Paul members were also available to help. Pastor Hoffman expressed his thanks for the team’s willingness to come and remove these trees in a professional manner while showing care to their church and property

Donate - Disaster Response Fund

LCC Headquarters Serves as Multi-Agency Resource Center Location Displaced Families

7/24/2018

On Saturday, July 21, LCC headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, served as the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) location for the town of Prospect Heights. LCC, Red Cross, Salvation Army and many other local Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) partners provided resources and services for individuals and families displaced by the fire. The LCC parking lot was overflowing with staff, volunteers, and families in need.

LCC Disaster Response completed basic case management forms on 58 families to identify needs for further support. Each family received vouchers for clothing provided by Community Threads in Arlington Heights as well as toiletry kits from United Airlines.

LCC Disaster Response will continue to work with local response agencies to provide resources for the displaced families.

LCC K-9 Handlers and Comfort Dogs Seth (in-training), Emma, Ruthie, and Hannah (LCC staff) JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois), Angel (St. John’s – La Grange, Illinois), Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Chloe (Lord of Life – Elburn, Illinois), Marie (in-training), and Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois) were on hand to provide mercy and support to the displaced individuals and response workers

LCC LERT team members from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere; Lord of Life Lutheran Church, LaFox; St. Philips Lutheran Church, Glenview and Immanuel and Prince of Peace Lutheran Churches, Palatine served as MARC ambassadors, escorting individuals and families through all of the agencies present, listening to their stories and offering emotional and spiritual care. LCC LERT teams from Lord of Life Lutheran Church, LaFox and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle provided each child with a filled backpack, brand new reading books and a soccer ball. They also staffed a table where the children could color and play while they waited for their parents

Donate - LCC Disaster Response Fund

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Fund

Distraught Families Homeless and in Need of Assistance

7/19/2018

LCC Responds to Massive Apartment Fire in Prospect Heights, Illinois

Jesus said: "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

In less than 24 hours, LCC began working with Prospect Heights Mayor Nicholas Helmer to support over 150 first responders from 50 local departments who bravely responded to the tragic fire that destroyed multiple buildings in an apartment complex.

NBC Chicago: Aerial Footage Shows Immense Damage in Prospect Heights Fire

Eighty-eight apartment units were affected and over 200 people, adults and children, are displaced losing everything they have. Please donate now to help LCC provide financial assistance to these families.

GIVE NOW

Early this morning, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Jacob (LCC Staff), Seth and Marie (Comfort Dogs in Training) visited one of the temporary housing shelters to bring comfort and hope to distraught families. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will continue to visit shelters and on-site where the fires occurred.

The Comfort Dogs always bring relief to all of the first responders.

LCC Disaster Response is working with local response agencies, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, to provide resources for the displaced families. The LCC headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, will serve as the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) location for the local agencies to deliver services to individuals and families.

LCC Disaster Response is working with local response agencies, the Red Cross, and other COAD partners to provide resources for the displaced families.

Please pray for everyone responding and impacted by this tragic fire. If you are so moved, please donate to help LCC help our closest neighbors as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.

Serving Together, Serving Others, in the Name and Presence of Jesus.

Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry

<<Previous

LCC Disaster Response Help Needed – Hurricane Florence (NC and VA), Continued Recovery in Wisconsin Flooding, and Tornadoes

LCC Disaster Response Teams and Volunteers Help 32 Families Recover from Tornado Damage in Cascade, Wisconsin

LCC Disaster Response Staff, LERT Chainsaw Teams and Volunteers Help Wisconsin Homeowners After Storm Damage

Special Appeal - LCC Disaster Response Deploys Early Friday to Wisconsin

LCC Disaster Response to Help with Flood Recovery in Madison, Wisconsin

LCC and Your Donations Help Families Displaced by Fire Move to New Housing

Elburn Days Evening Parade

Boom Lift Utilized

LCC Headquarters Serves as Multi-Agency Resource Center Location Displaced Families

Distraught Families Homeless and in Need of Assistance

LCC Responds to Massive Apartment Fire in Prospect Heights, Illinois

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