On Thursday, March 25, the National Weather Service reported eleven tornadoes with EF ratings ranging from EF-1 to EF-4, ripped through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia causing seven deaths, multiple injuries, and widespread structural and tree damage.

For a second full week, Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response, Kathy O’Day and Lutheran Early Response Teams (L.E.R.T.) are deployed and serving in Alabama. At the invitation of Rev. Ed Brashier, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern District, recovery efforts continue in the towns of Ohatchee, Wellington, Jacksonville and Piedmont. We are serving out of Trinity Lutheran Church in Gadsen, Alabama, with Pastor John Reynolds.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Erica Brown, Resource & Development Coordinator, The Learning Tree, Ann Cusey, Homeowner, and Mark Brueggemann, LCC L.E.R.T. volunteer share how the LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams brought mercy and compassion when responding to the Alabama tornadoes. Click on the image below to watch the video.

Since arriving the Monday after Easter, thirty-one LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members have joined the Southern District L.E.R.T. team members to assist those affected by these devastating tornadoes clear properties of downed and damaged trees, and debris utilizing the boom lift, dump trailer, bobcats, ditch witch, and tractors with grapples. This will help them begin their long road of rebuilding and recovery.

Clean-up Continues at The Learning Tree and Staff Member Properties

Property damage has been extensive at The Learning Tree Residential Schools for Children & Adults with Developmental Disabilities but care and enthusiasm for their students and residents has not wavered. The director, property manager, and staff can’t believe LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members traveled such a great distance to help them in their time of need. They continue to see the hand of God provide for them during the tornado recovery efforts. They look forward to having safe properties, bringing back their students and residents, and helping everyone return to their normal schedule.

Bob and his family huddled in their bathroom wearing their bicycle helmets as they heard the tornado pass and the trees crashing onto their house and down on their property. When they came out, a large tree was resting on their roof but they were very surprised to see that it didn’t go through or damage the interior of their home.

Due to his disability, he knew there was no way he could begin to remove the damaged trees. He is very thankful that LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams came with their equipment to assist.

If it weren't for all of the faith-based groups helping the community, he doesn’t know how he and his neighbors would be able to clean up all the damage to their properties.

Other LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members have been working on several large jobs that took several days. Property owners have been overwhelmed with the clean-up task and are overjoyed when they witness the hands and feet of Jesus helping them.
 
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 tornadoes in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff while we are deployed to Alabama.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Other LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members joined the Southern District L.E.R.T. team in a combined effort to remove trees and debris from the properties of two neighbors. These are both large jobs that the teams will be working at for several days.
 
Kathy O’Day continues to assess homeowner property damage for chainsaw volunteer assistance.
 
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 tornadoes in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we serve in Alabama.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

On Thursday, March 25, multiple catastrophic tornadoes ripped through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia causing seven deaths, people trapped in their homes, multiple injuries, and widespread structural and tree damage. The National Service reported eleven tornadoes in three states with EF ratings ranging from EF-1 to EF-4, with some of the most severe hitting Alabama.
 
Early Friday morning, LCC Disaster Response received an invite from Rev. Ed Brashier, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern District. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC staff member Tim Laabs, and Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw team leaders Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire arrived in Alabama on Palm Sunday, March 28, to spend the week helping Pastor Brashier assess widespread tornado damage to determine homeowner needs.

LCC Disaster Response staff and team leaders have been assessing damage in the hardest-hit areas of Calhoun, Shelby, and Bibb Counties to determine where L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams from across the country will be serving. One of the catastrophic EF-4 tornadoes that tore through Alabama was on the ground for 260 miles across three states. Another EF-3 tornado left 60 miles of major structural and tree damage through many rural towns that also resulted in five people losing their lives and many suffering life-changing injuries.

After completing initial assessments, LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams will be deploying to the towns of Ohatchee, Wellington, Jacksonville, and Piedmont over the next two weeks to help affected homeowners clear properties of downed and damaged trees and debris. This will help them begin their long road of rebuilding and recovery.

Learning Tree: Home & School for Disabled Children and Adults
We met with Deborah Hulsey, Director of Learning Tree, to assess extensive damage to the school, big hall, and grounds. The Learning Tree is a home and school for children and adults with various disabilities serving 139 residents and students. They also operate 13 group homes. LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams will help with grounds clean-up to make it safe again. The chainsaw teams will also go to one of the group homes to clean up many downed trees on that property. Finally, they will help a staff member as well as her brother’s house with extensive tree damage at both. According to Deborah, this has been a forgotten community, and she feels very blessed that we are committing to helping them in their time of need.   

Family Hit Hard with Multiple Home and Property Damage
A family with two homes sharing a large piece of property is trying to clear the debris and about 40 downed and damaged trees while trying to salvage what they can from one of their homes that was badly damaged. They couldn’t believe that strangers from another state would volunteer to help them.

Family Displaced Due to Extensive Tornado Damage
This family has been placed in a hotel temporarily. During their long-term recovery, they are not sure where they will be living until they can rebuild their house and workshop on their property where he works. They were so thankful that we listened to their story of how life had been simply lived and how they are now so uncertain of what the future will hold. They are very grateful for any assistance we may be able to offer them to get the tree off their roof and help clear their property.

The Raglan Methodist Church building was built in 1875 and may have been destroyed by an EF-4 tornado last week, but not the spirit of the congregation. They plan to worship together on Easter morning amidst the devastation, to show that there is always hope because Christ is Risen!

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 tornadoes in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to Alabama.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

The 40,000 lbs. of food donations and personal care items collected and sent by Jayne Siou, Director of Immanuel Hillside's “Put Your Hands Together” Food Pantry and Outreach, have been delivered to the LCMS Texas District warehouse in San Antonio and the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin.
 
When seeing the truck unload, Julie Tucker, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, stated, “This is a ton of food. It will be greatly used. We are distributing it immediately to multiple church food pantries and people in need. Our heartfelt thanks to Lutheran Church Charities, Immanuel Hillside, and everyone who donated to help families during our winter storm recovery.”
 
Lutheran Church Charities is grateful to our generous donors and food contributors for showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need in Texas. Your donations continue to Make A Difference!

Early this morning, LCC Disaster Response received an invite from Rev. Ed Brashier, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern District.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC staff member Tim Laabs, and Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw team leaders Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire will arrive in Alabama on Sunday, March 28, to help Pastor Brashier assess widespread tornado damage to help determine where L.E.R.T. teams will be needed in the coming weeks.

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.

If you are in Northern Illinois and would like to help fill a truck with requested food only for the Texas District, there is still time this week to do so.
 
Immanuel Hillside Food Pantry began accepting food donations this week from several Northern Illinois District churches and L.E.R.T. teams for those recovering from Texas Winter Storm Uri.
 
The following churches held food drives and made deliveries this week:

Jayne Siou, Director of Immanuel Hillside's “Put Your Hands Together” Food Distribution Ministry stated that their donations and LCC donor food will be delivered next Wednesday to the Texas LCMS District in San Antonio and the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin for immediate distribution to those in need.
 
The food donation truck(s) will be leaving Immanuel Hillside Food Pantry on Friday, March 19. Your support is greatly needed for the success of this mission and for all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Texas.
 
In our effort to provide emergency food and to follow our mission, we are requesting the following emergency food donations for our relief truck:
 

• canned meats (Spam, ham, tuna, chicken, Vienna sausage, etc.)
• shelf-stable complete meals
• protein bars & snack items (can be individual items as long as boxed)
• shelf-stable milk
• personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, hand soap, bar soap, hand sanitizer)

DROP OFF LOCATIONS & TIMES:
 
Wednesday, March 17 | Donations by appt. only, contact Jayne Siou (708) 261-2006
Immanuel Lutheran Church
2317 S Wolf Rd,
Hillside, IL 60162
 
Thursday, March 18 | 11:30 am – 2:30 pm | Pop-a-Trunk or Truck donations
Veterans Distribution Warehouse - Dock #40-42
Hillside Food Pantry
5999 Butterfield Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
 
Lutheran Church Charities can pick up large donations requiring a truck March 17th-18th. Contact Dianna Bonfield at 847-287-6624 to schedule a pickup.

Lutheran Church Charities continues to work through our Texas K-9 Ministry affiliate churches and District Disaster Response Coordinators to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Texas Disaster Response Fund to help individuals, families, and churches now and during the long recovery process.

Lutheran Church Charities continues to work with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman, Julie Tucker, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Director of School Ministry, Texas District with their recovery efforts from the Texas Winter Storm.
 
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Lutheran Church Charities was able to send funds for immediate needs to the Texas District to assist the churches, pastors, church workers, lay staff, and congregation members with significant structural damage and loss of belongings due to burst pipes.
 
Julie Tucker thanks LCC and our donors for all they have done to help them assist those affected by the winter freeze. They greatly appreciate the generous donations received that have helped the Texas District purchase plumbing supplies and other needed items to begin the recovery process for families throughout the state.

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hillside, Illinois – Put Your Hands Together Emergency Food Assistance Program is diverting its resources to send a semi-truck of food and supplies to the LCMS Texas District for emergency relief during their hardship of recovering from the devastating winter storm. Their mission is to “Glorify God and Impact the Community,” and they are honored to be able to serve Him on a national level with Lutheran Church Charities.
 
If you are in Northern Illinois and would like to help fill a truck with requested food only for the Texas District, please CLICK HERE to see the specific needs, drop-off dates, and locations.

Lutheran Church Charities will be working through our Texas K-9 Ministry affiliate churches and District Disaster Response Coordinators to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Texas Disaster Response Fund to help individuals, families, and churches now and during the long recovery process.

Lutheran Church Charities continues to work with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman, Julie Tucker, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Dr. Bill Hinz, Director of School Ministry, Texas District with their recovery efforts from the Texas Winter Storm.
 
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Lutheran Church Charities was able to send funds for immediate needs to the Texas District to assist the churches, pastors, church workers, lay staff, and congregation members with significant structural damage and loss of belongings due to burst pipes. Texas District President Rev. Michael Newman sent his appreciation to Tim Hetzner, President/CEO, “Thank you so much for navigating obstacles and blessing our relief work in Texas. Lutheran Church Charities is bringing Jesus’ love and hope to many!”

Your Donations Helped a Preschool Director
One of the affected church worker families is from Memorial Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas, home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Damaris. The preschool director’s husband’s small business had a major pipe burst that flooded his office, caved in the ceiling, ruined office computers, equipment, and furniture. This is on top of health and business struggles due to COVID-19.

Senior Pastor John Davis thanks Lutheran Church Charities for providing financial assistance for this family to begin their recovery process. He stated, “Thank you so much for the generosity of LCC and for the larger LCC community. This is such a blessing for this family, as their trials and stresses have been great. To release this financial concern and even more, to give them a larger picture of how much they are loved and supported, is truly a gift from God!”

The family wrote a note of thanks to LCC stating, “The water mitigation specialist from ServPro estimated that the water was pouring into the office from the busted pipes in the ceiling for approximately 4 hours before we arrived. In my shock, I could only think to text our Memorial pastor, who I knew had dealt with flooding before. I was standing in several inches of water, asking Pastor, “What do I do first?” I was hoping for some guidance… and, as He always does, God provided more. Memorial staff and friends showed up to help, relieved some stress, and made it feel more manageable. Then we were blessed to have LCC become part of this team of care and compassion. We are so grateful!”

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hillside, Illinois – Put Your Hands Together Emergency Food Assistance Program is diverting its resources to send a semi-truck of food and supplies to the LCMS Texas District for emergency relief during their hardship of recovering from the devastating winter storm. Their mission is to “Glorify God and Impact the Community,” and they are honored to be able to serve Him on a national level with Lutheran Church Charities.
 
If you are in Northern Illinois and would like to help fill a truck with requested food only for the Texas District, please CLICK HERE to see the specific needs, drop-off dates, and locations.

“This winter storm could cost Texas more money than any disaster in state history. All 254 counties will have been impacted in some way by the freeze,” said Lee Loftis, director of government affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. One million Texans are still on boil water orders and 30 water systems are still not operational.

                                  Damage Repairs in High Demand – Plumbers Needed – Supplies Limited!

The most significant need is for plumbers to make repairs and plumbing supplies, which are now almost impossible to acquire in the state. The state has estimated the average cost of repairs to burst pipes in a home is approximately $15,000 or more. Although some of this will be covered by insurance, FEMA, or state grants, the high deductibles will make it challenging to fund repairs.

If you are a licensed plumber, have critical plumbing supplies you can bring, and can volunteer to go to Texas to help with recovery efforts, please email DRAdmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org.
 
Texas District President, Rev. Michael Newman, has reached out to LCC to help during this statewide crisis. In addition to financial assistance, they are requesting plumbing materials to help repair homes, schools, and churches.
 
CLICK HERE for a detailed list of needed supplies.

• Copper Pipe & Fittings
• PVC Pipe & Fittings
• PEX Tubing & Fittings
• Iron Pipe Ball Valves

 
If you wish to donate any of these materials, they can be dropped off at LCC headquarters and we will get them there. Please call 866-455-6466 to make drop-off arrangements.

Lutheran Church Charities will be working through our Texas K-9 Ministry affiliate churches and District Disaster Response Coordinators to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC Texas Disaster Response Fund to help individuals, families, and churches now and during the long recovery process.

On January 25, a 500 feet wide, 150 mph EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 9.5 miles through Fultondale, Alabama, leaving a path of destruction that killed and injured residents as well as destroyed homes, schools, and businesses. This tornado was located just a few miles from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardendale, where Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, serves. They are now one of the churches in this community that have committed to serving the disaster-affected residents for the long road of recovery they are currently facing.

Pastor Ed Brashier expresses his gratitude to Lutheran Church Charities, and its donors for the financial assistance received that is being used to help provide assistance for several families from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and community members that suffered a loss of their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. This financial assistance will help families with hotel costs, rent, and security deposits as they seek alternative housing to repair or rebuild their lives and homes.

 
The Franks, a family of four, are one of the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church that experienced tornado damage to homes and autos. They had major damage to their roof and back rooms of their home. They are anticipating at least 4 months of living in a hotel while their home is being repaired. They also lost three cars, which are needed for work, and are now facing about $8,000 in deductibles for the loss of their home and autos. This is one of the many financial burdens that most tornado-affected families are now experiencing.
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be serving their disaster-affected congregation, school, and community members in the name of Jesus Christ, through this long-term recovery process. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Good Shepherd support these families as they recover from this devastating disaster.

On January 25, a 500 feet wide, 150 mph EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 9.5 miles through Fultondale, Alabama, leaving a path of destruction that killed and injured residents as well as destroyed homes, schools, and businesses. This tornado was located just a few miles from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardendale, where Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, serves. They are now one of the churches in this community that have committed to serving the disaster-affected residents for the long road of recovery they are currently facing.

Pastor Ed Brashier wishes to express his appreciation to Lutheran Church Charities and its donors for the financial assistance already received that was used to help with immediate needs and temporary housing costs for church members affected by the tornado. Lutheran Church Charities has been asked to help provide additional financial assistance for several families from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and community members that suffered a loss of their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. This financial assistance will help families with hotel costs, rent, and security deposits.

Tom is a resident referred to Messiah Lutheran Church by the City of Fultondale, Alabama. He has lost his home and the cars he drove and was working on. He had no insurance and was so appreciative of the $500 Pastor Ed Brashier gave to him to extend his stay in a hotel until such time as he can purchase an RV to live in on his property. Messiah intends to continue to show the mercy and presence of Jesus Christ to this resident in need.
 
Pastor Ed Brashier and Good Shepherd’s L.E.R.T. team began assisting homeowners within hours after the tornado struck. They are helping residents sort and move the debris to the street for city pickup and are beginning to assist with the demolition of homes that were significantly damaged by the tornado and deemed uninhabitable.
 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be serving their disaster-affected congregation, school, and community members in the name of Jesus Christ through this long-term recovery process. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Good Shepherd support these families as they recover from this devastating disaster.