 Lutheran Church Charities has been present and serving the hard-hit communities of Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove after an EF-3 tornado struck on June 20, 2021 through Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, Illinois. As of today, we have met with 118 homeowners to assess their property damage and have identified and completed 81 total sites that we can assist with. Helping Homeowner with Tree Damage to Uninhabitable Home and Property Mr. P was one of the last homes we helped complete chainsaw work at this past week. He had several broken trees around his home that is now uninhabitable after the tornado collapsed his attached garage and part of his kitchen wall. He appreciated the assistance and felt relieved that it was finally done. He was thankful that we took care of the tree damage clean-up at no cost to him. He enjoyed watching and talking with the large group of volunteers and told all that we were a blessing to him and his neighbors that we had also served over the last few weeks.
Mayor Cunningham of Woodridge Extends Heartfelt Thank You for Serving Her Community Mayor Gina Cunningham sent another beautiful note of thanks on Sunday to Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, to share with all the L.E.R.T. team members that have so willingly served in their community: Woke up early this morning and decided to take a drive around Woodridge. I truly can’t believe the difference 4 to 5 weeks makes. And, as I was driving, tears ran down my face. Immediately my thoughts went to ALL of the incredible helping hands that came from NEAR AND FAR to our rescue. Some I have had the pleasure to meet and talk with, but most I may not meet, nor THANK, for being a shining light of Hope and Compassion. I would like to share that they truly rescued a devastated, heartbroken, stunned, and hurting community (right after the June 20th EF-3 tornado). Woodridge is a good, kind, and welcoming community. I know that there are not enough words to convey the gratitude we have for all the help/helpers. Lutheran Church Charities also extends many thanks for the 75 volunteers that have served over these last five weeks. They have come from the following 18 Lutheran churches in Illinois and Alabama:
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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.
Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need.  107 Homeowner Assessments Completed 74 Total Properties Scheduled – 57 Completed On Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove, as well as Burr Ridge and Darien. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. According to the final reports given this week, the Village of Woodridge had 400 homes damaged and 29 destroyed, and Naperville had 231 homes damaged and 19 destroyed. These are many families' lives changed forever.  Lutheran Church Charities continues to serve the hard-hit communities of Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove. As of today, we have met with 107 homeowners to assess their property damage. We have identified 74 total sites that we can assist with. To do this more effectively, LCC has invited Pastor Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Shepherds Heart Ministry Director, to assist our teams with his 65’ boom lift and mini-bobcat. This will allow us to help more homeowners daily with chainsaw lift work to broken and damaged trees. Different Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. team members volunteer daily and have completed 57 sites. We will continue to serve in our district until we are done with all of the requests.  Assisting Neighbors By Removing Multiple Damaged Trees LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams assisted two neighbors on one of the hardest-hit streets in Woodridge. Joe is living in his damaged home, and Steve’s is uninhabitable. Both had several broken trees that needed to be felled and removed using the boom lift. Joe kept telling us that he couldn’t believe that we would offer to do this for free, were are so professional, and that we were a blessing to him and his neighbors.
 Helping Neighbors with Damaged Tree Across Their Properties Plus Others We assisted another set of neighbors in Woodridge. One tree from an elderly woman’s yard was leaning precariously into the neighbor’s yard. This family had the leaner and several other trees with damaged limbs and a large broken evergreen to remove. It was a very difficult and technical job to do for the boom lift team in order to avoid causing further damage to a garage, fencing, and power lines. They were very appreciative of the hard work and kindness shown to them for the day and a half we spent at their homes.
LCC received the following thank you notes from those we have served sharing appreciation for the LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams: Thank you, and God Bless you at Lutheran Church Charities, especially Deaconess Kathy O’Day and her great team, who were there in response to all of us affected by the tornado that ripped through our Woodridge community. Their professionalism and cheerful work will forever be remembered in my prayers. They truly are an example to all of the goodwill in doing God’s work.”  LCC Disaster Response extends a heartfelt thank you to LiftWorks in St. Charles, Illinois, for loaning us at no charge a TM64 Nifty boom lift for three days while they were repairing ours. We appreciate your generosity so that we can continue serving those affected by the tornadoes.
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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. Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process. Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. 96 Homeowner Assessments Completed 70 Total Properties Scheduled – 39 Completed  On Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in Woodridge, Naperville, and Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. At least 350 homes were damaged, 48 are reported as uninhabitable. Lutheran Church Charities continues to serve the hard-hit communities of Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove. As of today, we have met with 96 homeowners to assess their property damage. We have identified 70 total sites that we can assist with. To do this more effectively, LCC has invited Pastor Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Shepherds Heart Ministry Director, to assist our teams with his 65’ boom lift and mini-bobcat. This will allow us to help more homeowners daily with chainsaw lift work to broken and damaged trees. Different Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. team members volunteer daily and have completed 39 sites. We will continue to serve in our district until we are done with all of the requests.  A Young Family Sees Jesus Helping Them We helped a young family from St. John Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, with removing a dangerous hanger over their driveway and felling a large broken tree near their home and deck utilizing the boom lift and rigging techniques. This family was very appreciative of the assistance, but more importantly, they wanted their children, ages 3 and 7, to understand that it was the church coming to help them in their time of need. The parents took time to explain to them how everyone working to take down their trees and make their home safe was doing what Jesus wanted them to do in serving others. When the team was done, and we presented the slice of tree with a cross in it, they told the boys, “Always remember this day, the day Jesus sent people from His church to help us.”
Helping a Single Woman Restore Her Property & Hope Our team served a single woman with two acres of many downed and damaged trees surrounding her home and blocking her long driveway. She felt so overwhelmed, not knowing how she could ever possibly cut and remove all of the trees that were damaged. Having a large chainsaw team descend on her property for a full day of hard work restored her hope and property.
Mr. Stonitsch is very grateful that our teams are willing to respond to their referrals of residents that are in need of assistance. LCC received the following thank you note from an elderly couple served by the LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams: Dear Friends, The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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.
Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process. Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. 85 Homeowner Assessments Completed 62 Total Properties Scheduled – 23 Completed
On Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in Woodridge, Naperville, and Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. At least 250 homes were damaged, 26 are reported as uninhabitable. Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T) chainsaw team leaders visited affected first responders and homeowners to assess the damage to their property. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers began property clean-up starting on Tuesday, June 22. Pastor Mark Schultz from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle invited LCC to serve out of their church. We are also working with Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville. 
As of today, we have met with 85 homeowners and assessed their property. We have identified 62 total sites that we can assist with. Due to tree damage in proximity to power lines and inaccessible yards for equipment, we are unable to assist some homeowners. We have been working daily, in spite of the rain, since the day after the tornado struck. Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. teams have completed 23 chainsaw sites and helped two families move from their damaged homes. We will continue to serve in our district until we are done with requests. HELP LCC SERVE FIRST RESPONDERS AND FAMILIES WITH CLEAN-UP AND RECOVERY! Helping First Responders Who Selflessly Help Others
Serving & Supporting Family During Difficult Situations LCC Disaster Response, along with a few neighbors, was able to help a family over two days to remove many downed trees in their yard. This family has had to move out of their home and into a hotel after many trees came down on their car and house, causing much roof and interior damage to their home. In addition to this devastation, they are caring for and facing the possible loss of their young adult child to cancer. Every team member wanted to serve here and offer Christ’s love and hope to this family during this very difficult time in their lives. We presented the father with a signed slice from one of their trees.
Helping Air Force Reserve Veteran With Large Downed Trees LCC L.E.R.T. helped a 35 year Air Force Reserve veteran remove several large downed trees in preparation for lift work to begin late this week on three tall cracked and leaning trees over her garage. She also assisted our team as they worked and appreciated our “respect of property and our hard work ethic.” LCC thanks her for her many years of dedicated military service.
Removing Many Large Trees Damaged During Tornado Many of the trees that have been downed or damaged by the tornado in these established communities are very large in diameter and require large heavy saws and equipment to complete the work on them. Every homeowner has been very grateful for our professional assistance with these massive trees in their yards, especially the elderly who cannot do the clean-up work themselves.
The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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.
Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process. Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. Direct Hit in Woodridge, Naperville, Darien, and Other Surrounding Areas Many Injured, Many Families Displaced, Hundreds of Homes Severely Damaged, Widespread Devastation, Power Outages  At 10:45 pm, Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in the hardest-hit areas of Woodridge, Naperville, and Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. Buildings have collapsed, homes heavily damaged or leveled, multiple power lines down, large trees uprooted, and dangerous debris scattered. Major destruction has left many roads and neighborhoods impassible. At least 250 homes were damaged, 26 are reported as uninhabitable. During the first 48 hours after the tornado, Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T) chainsaw team leaders visited affected first responders and homeowners to assess the damage to their property. Work orders were immediately scheduled for LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers to begin property clean-up starting on Tuesday. Pastor Mark Schultz from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle invited LCC to serve out of their church. We are also working with Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville. Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham and Illinois State Senator John Curran were present to thank LCC Disaster Response and L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers for everything we are doing to help their community. They are familiar with our response to disaster and crisis situations and welcomed our presence in assisting the residents in the impacted communities.
LCC NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE TO HELP FIRST RESPONDERS AND FAMILIES WITH CLEAN-UP! Serving & Supporting Family During Difficult Situations  The American Red Cross referred a homeowner to Lutheran Church Charities for chainsaw assistance. This family has received much roof and interior damage to their home, about 40 trees down in their front and back yards, loss of power and lines to home, and a damaged vehicle from falling trees. In addition to this devastation, they are facing the possible loss of their young adult child to cancer. We told them to take care of their family and we will take care of their property, whenever they are ready for us. They deeply appreciated the compassion and hope of Jesus Christ we showed to them for their difficult situation. Helping First Responders Who Selflessly Help Others  One of the first homeowners visited is a Lisle-Woodridge firefighter who just returned home from his long shift of responding to his devastated community. His property has many downed trees and hanging tree limbs. An LCC L.E.R.T. team was sent to his property first thing on Tuesday to start the recovery effort. We prayed with him, his wife, and his daughter to give them hope and reassurance that God is with them during this challenging time. “Thank you so much for all your and your team's help with our branches!! We so appreciate you and are very thankful!!” – Serene Berkowitz
We also visited the home of a Lisle-Woodridge police officer who is helping to keep his community safe. The tree in his front yard has many dangerous hanging limbs. Work on his property is scheduled for today.  We are honored and blessed to be able to serve these brave first responders. They are grateful for our quick response so that they can continue to help residents in their community. Helping Elderly Couple with Damage to Large Trees LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams are helping a neighbor of Pastor Mike Curtis from Trinity – Lisle. The large tree on their property is heavily damaged as well as the tree in their front yard. L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams used their heavy equipment to safely clean up the property and help them in their time of need. Wayne and his wife were presented with a signed slice of the tree taken down and are thankful for our immediate assistance
LCC Disaster Response extends a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers from Trinity – Lisle L.E.R.T who cooked and served food to those present at the worksites and the hard-hit Woodridge neighborhood.  The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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. Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process. Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Deploy to Arvada, Colorado After Tragic Death of a Police Officer Besides LCC Being Deployed Out with the Tornadoes and Storms, LCC K-9 Ministry Is Deployed for Tragic Death of Officer Gordon Beesley  On Tuesday, June 22, Police Officer Gordon Beesley, a 19-year veteran of the Arvada Police Department, Colorado, was killed during an eruption of gunfire at a popular downtown shopping district in the Denver area, which also left the suspect and "good Samaritan" John Hurley dead.
LCC received a request, and Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado) and their handlers responded immediately to bring comfort to the community during the Tuesday night vigil. Redeemer’s Ministry team also placed two Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses at the memorial site for visitors to sign. LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. Provides Chainsaw Assistance to Residents Affected by Storms in Northern Illinois On Thursday, June 17, Northern Illinois experienced several fast-moving storms with high winds in the evening. As a result of these, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was called for chainsaw assistance. One home was located in Lake Barrington, Illinois, and had a large tree fall across the driveway. Jim Beckley and Richard Habegger from Prince of Peace, Palatine L.E.R.T. responded immediately to cut and remove the tree so the homeowner could regain access to their home.
The other home was in Lockport, Illinois, and had a large tree fall next to their home, taking down their electric lines to the house. They also had to fell a tree that was left-leaning dangerously towards the house. Larry and Dan Zagorski from Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. spent two days felling and cutting these trees for Dan’s neighbor to help this homeowner make his property safe again.
Both homeowners were very appreciative of the quick response and much-needed assistance. LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. Helping Elderly & Disabled Family with Dangerous Evergreen Tree and Hanging Tree Limbs  The Palatine and St. John Wheaton, Illinois, L.E.R.T. teams spent two days this week helping a family with an elderly mother and a disabled daughter fell a large dead evergreen tree very near their home using the boom lift. They also removed other dangerous hanging tree limbs around the yard and cleared much-overgrown brush. The teams loaded the LCC 24’ dump trailer and hauled all of the wood and brush away to a donated site for disposal. The family thanks the following L.E.R.T. volunteers for their willing service: Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Mike Kaminski, Dan Swyndroski St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Marty Johnson St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Lois Lehman
This was a large job to complete safely, and the homeowners were very appreciative of the professional assistance and care shown to them.
LCC Thanks Home Depot for a Donation of Twenty-Five Buckets with Lids and a Case of Hand Sanitizer to LCC Disaster Response Ministry  Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) comprises volunteers from Prince of Peace and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Palatine, Illinois. During the month of May, both churches featured Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. as their mission partner. They asked their respective congregations to donate cleaning supplies to fill 5-gallon flood buckets to give to those in need after a disaster. Home Depot in Mount Prospect, Illinois, donated twenty-five buckets with lids and a case of hand sanitizer. The buckets were assembled and sent with prayers for their future recipients this week for Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams. SPECIAL APPEAL: LCC Disaster Response Deploys to Help Assess Tornado Damage in Northern Illinois6/21/2021
 Direct Hit in Woodridge, Naperville, Darien, and Other Surrounding Areas 1 Person Critical, Others Injured, Many Families Displaced Confirmed 250 Homes Damaged, Widespread Devastation, Power Outages “For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” Isaiah 49:13  At 10:45 pm, Sunday, June 20, an estimated EF-2 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in the hardest-hit areas of Woodridge, Naperville, Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. Buildings have collapsed, homes heavily damaged or leveled, multiple power lines down, large trees uprooted, and dangerous debris scattered. Major destruction has left many roads and neighborhoods impassible. At least 250 homes were damaged, 26 are reported as uninhabitable. Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, have been monitoring storms and damage reports since it began. In less than 12 hours, LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T) chainsaw team leaders began tornado and storm damage assessment to help determine where L.E.R.T. teams will be immediately needed. Pastor Mark Schultz from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle has extended an invitation to serve out of their church. We are also working with Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville.
LCC NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE TO HELP FAMILIES WITH CLEAN-UP! The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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.
Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process.
Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need. Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!
Currently, Ed Boerman, Alan Holm, Marty Johnson, and Pete Springmire are recognized LCMS chainsaw instructors, having completed this same Tim Ard training over the past several years. Therefore, it was their recommendation to have LCC bring him to our district to provide this advanced training to a select group of chainsaw operators to improve our skills, safety, and professionalism when responding to disasters. Participants who were invited to take this advanced training are LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw team leaders or those being mentored as future chainsaw team leaders.  LCC paid $5,500 to have Tim Ard present this training, and volunteer participant donations have covered $2,950. Everyone who participated in this training felt they learned so much that will improve their chainsaw work proficiency. Some of the skills learned were how to cut good hinges and notches for felling trees, make bore cuts, recognize potential hazards, and how to safely buck limbs. Dave Schlesselman, one of the chainsaw operators who participated in the training last week, stated, “What I learned from Tim last week will make a profound difference in how I work at all future sites. My safety and the safety of those around me will dramatically improve, my productivity will dramatically improve, and my ability to explain the "hows" and "whys" of the approaches we take to team members will be significantly better.” CLICK HERE to watch a video from the training. LCC thanks the following L.E.R.T. chainsaw operators for their participation and willingness to share what they have learned with other team members when deployed for safe and efficient chainsaw storm clean up.  Illinois Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger Immanuel, Belvidere – Mike Buhl Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn Lord of Life, LaFox – Kevin Krage, Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski Messiah, Sterling – Jacob Beets Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Schlesselman St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken Kiviranta Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman Wisconsin St. Paul, Grafton – Mark Brueggemann LCC also thanks Jan Boerman, Kent Worrell, and Skip and Karen Sorenson from the Trinity Lisle L.E.R.T. team for providing, cooking, and serving a delicious steak dinner for all to enjoy one evening.
LCMS Disaster Response hosted the First Annual Chainsaw Games for experienced sawyers in Waterloo, Illinois at the end of April. The event was an opportunity for learning, chainsaw games, and fellowship. There were 16 participants and 6 instructors/judges. LCC Disaster Response was represented well by ASI Certified Arborist/LCC Chainsaw Instructor, Ed Boerman, and chainsaw team leaders Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire. Ed served as an instructor/judge. Marty placed 1st, and Pete placed 3rd in overall scoring. Lutheran Church Charities extends congratulations to a job well done and thanks for years of serving with disaster response.
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