It was a day of “undeniable joy” and “showing up for families.”

More than 4,700 Southern California residents turned out Saturday, April 12,  for the Recovery Pop-Up at the Dream Center event in Los Angeles — and in the middle of it all was the newly formed Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) from St. John’s Lutheran Charge in Orange, CA, lending their hands to families impacted by the state’s wildfires.

From assembling lanyards to gathering and carrying household goods to their vehicles, the St. John’s team donned their bright yellow vests with crosses, representing Lutheran Church Charities, and were a helping presence at the massive Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) production sponsored by Global Empowerment Mission. More than 1,300 families were counted for a day of carnival fun, free resources, and community connection.

“We walked around and offered assistance,” said Jason Johnson, Disaster Crisis Response and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for LCC’s West Coast region. “Many people felt comfortable approaching us and sharing their stories.”

"One family’s home survived the fire, but smoke damage has prevented them from living in it. But they are making it, thanks to help from friends they are living with," Johnson said.

Another family lost their home, but they were able to find their grandmother’s ring while sifting through the remains.

Others are still coping with loss.

A mom with two teen daughters lost pictures of grandparents in the fire. A missionary attending Fuller Seminary saw her home burned, but her faith has kept her strong.
   
“From the smiles of the families to the dancing and laughter to the deep, soul-touching connections created, it was powerful,” said Elizabeth Jernberg of Global Empowerment Mission, who thanked the St. John’s Orange LERT volunteers for being there. “You all showed up under the sun, with sweat and smiles, and gave it your all. You should be incredibly proud.”

How You Can Help
LERT volunteers make a difference in times of disaster! If you feel called to support this mission, consider donating to the LCC Disaster Relief Fund, so we can continue to BE PRESENT to bring hope to those suffering and in need.

Among the many touching stories of service, two elderly neighbors—aged 88 and 91—faced an especially daunting challenge. A massive pine tree had fallen between their yards, blocking their access and creating a hazardous situation. A nearby company had quoted an exorbitant price, requiring a crane to remove the tree, which neither neighbor could afford.

But the LERT volunteers stepped in, cutting down the tree with care and precision, removing it from the property at no cost. As a final touch, they raked the yards, clearing debris and leaving a clean, safe space behind. The elderly women expressed heartfelt gratitude, overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to them.

Through these selfless acts of service, the LERT team not only cleared fallen trees but also brought the light of hope to these neighbors, many of whom had nowhere else to turn. In a world filled with hardship, the LERT volunteers’ willingness to serve in the name of the Lord brought comfort and healing in a tangible way. It’s a powerful reminder of the difference compassion can make when we offer it freely, especially in times of crisis.

How You Can Help
LERT volunteers make a difference in times of disaster, but there is always a need for more hands and hearts willing to serve. If you feel called to support this mission, consider registering for the upcoming LERT training (more details below), donating to the LCC Disaster Relief Fund, or keeping affected communities in your prayers.

Responding to Devastation in Valparaiso, IN

On Sunday, March 30, the town of Valparaiso, Indiana, was struck by 90 mph straight-line winds that toppled 110 utility poles, tore through rooftops, downed trees, and left residents without power for days. In the aftermath, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) was contacted by Immanuel and Christ Lutheran Churches to aid their communities.

Another stop brought the team to the home of a single mom and piano teacher, whose studio had been rendered inaccessible by three large uprooted spruce trees. Unable to afford help, she prayed for a miracle. Through a recommendation from one of her student’s parents, she found LCC. Within hours, the trees and root balls were gone, her yard cleaned and raked, and a cross was cut into the stump of one of the trees. Moved to tears, she said, “This cross will always remind me to trust God to provide for my needs and that He sent angels here to take care of me.”

Rebuilding in Tryon, North Carolina

Farther south, another team served at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, NC, still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Though the congregation had hoped to return to their sanctuary by Easter, there remains much to be done.

Restoring a Beloved Camp in Linville, NC

Meanwhile, a small but determined team from Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville, IL traveled to Camp Linn Haven in Linville, NC. The LCMS summer camp sustained extensive damage to its chapel, kitchen, main hall, 18 cabins, and bridge due to Hurricane Helene.

Volunteers assisted with hanging drywall, repairing siding, staining, painting, and general storm cleanup. Although there’s more work to be done, their efforts made meaningful progress in preparing the camp for future campers and ensuring the facility remains a safe and joyful space for all.

Gratitude for Hands that Serve

Lutheran Church Charities extends heartfelt thanks to the many LERT volunteers who offered their time, talent, and compassion in these recent deployments:

• Cross, Yorkville IL: Clay and Linda Arnold; Daeson Blue; Chris Coulombe; Heather Fiala; John Goettsch; Carrie Howard
• Bethany, Naperville: David, Gretchen, and Isabel Brouch; Alex Clasen; Pastor Seth Clemmer; Tye, Linda, Henry, and Ken Fox; Beth Hahn; James and Susan Jablonsky; Grace Ryan; Judy and Nathan Teske
• Good Shepherd, Elgin: David Vollrath
• Immanuel, Palatine: Chris Johnson
• St. Peter, Gilberts: Aleis Vasa
  
  

This team truly enjoyed the hospitality shown to them by the congregations of Trinity, Tryon and Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville and will continue to hold both congregations in their prayers.

The Southeastern District has continued opportunities to serve at several locations in North Carolina. Please consider volunteering your time and talents to help those in need recover from Hurricane Helene.

How You Can HelpLERT volunteers make a difference in times of disaster, but there is always a need for more hands and hearts willing to serve. If you feel called to support this mission, consider registering for the upcoming LERT training, donating to the LCC Disaster Response Fund, or keeping affected communities in your prayers.

The homeowner, deeply moved by the volunteers’ efforts, shared how the Lord had watched over his family during the storm. With heartfelt gratitude, he thanked the team for their hard work and compassion.

Through their service, these LERT volunteers embodied Christ’s love in action, bringing physical relief and spiritual encouragement to those in need. We continue to pray for all affected by these storms and for the dedicated volunteers who answered the call to serve.

Elsewhere in the U.S., a team of 20 LCC LERT volunteers, mostly from Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL, is deployed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, N.C. They are helping to rebuild the church after massive flooding from Hurricane Helene.

The Trinity congregation hopes to return to their building in time for Easter Sunday. On the first day of work, the team helped clear the crawl space, remove floor tiles, build shelves, and paint bathrooms. A few of the team members (pictured at right) dug a trench to help lay pipes to divert water. They will be working hard to help Trinity reach it goal of worshipping on Resurrection Day!

In another part of the Tarheel State, a team from Cross Lutheran Church in Yorkville, IL, (pictured below) is serving at Camp Linn Haven, N.C. They are also helping with rebuilding after Hurricane Helene destruction, doing drywalling, siding, staining, and cleanup. They are making progress to restore the camp for future guests.

How You Can Help
LERT volunteers make a difference in times of disaster, but there is always a need for more hands and hearts willing to serve. If you feel called to support this mission, consider registering for the upcoming LERT training, donating to the LCC Disaster Response Fund, or keeping affected communities in your prayers.

Last week, Deaconess Kathy O'Day, Director of Disaster Response for Lutheran Church Charities (LCC), deployed to California, part of The Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, to assist Jason Johnson, LCC's California Disaster Crisis Response and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, in planning how local churches can support communities impacted by the recent wildfires.

During their visit, they met with key leaders including Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, District President, Pacific Southwest District; Pastor Chris Schaar from Historic First Lutheran Church in Pasadena; Pastor Lew Upchurch from Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica; and Pastor Tim Klinkenberg from St. John Lutheran Church in Orange.

Historic First Lutheran Church, located at the heart of the Altadena fire zone, is currently supporting 18 families who have lost their homes, along with six more families displaced due to smoke damage. Pastor Schaar is providing temporary housing and financial support to those affected, but he recognizes that this will be a long-term recovery effort requiring ongoing assistance as families work to relocate and rebuild.

As part of the response, Deaconess O'Day and Johnson spent time at the Disaster Recovery Center in Altadena, offering spiritual and emotional care to survivors. Johnson, along with several volunteers trained in Spiritual First Aid, will continue offering care at the Disaster Resource Hub in the Palisades this week. They also met with community leaders who are part of long-term recovery teams focused on rebuilding the affected areas.

In addition, Deaconess O'Day and Johnson visited Mt. Calvary Lutheran School, where Jr. High Honors Students, led by teacher Joey Siekman, are organizing a fundraiser to deliver LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and care packages to five local fire departments that assisted in fighting the wildfires.

The pastors and community leaders they met with expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing support that Lutheran Church Charities is providing in the wake of this devastating disaster.

As recovery efforts continue, your support is crucial. Consider donating to Lutheran Church Charities Southern California Fire Response fund to help those affected by the wildfires. Together, we can make a lasting impact in rebuilding lives and communities.

The team members shared their experiences while working at Grace Lutheran:

"We poured our hearts into the work because we wanted to help in any way we could. We painted 40 or more outside classroom doors, 4 bathrooms, cafeteria walls, narthex, and walls between classrooms. We bought plants to put out in front of the church, hoping to make the congregation bring back smiles on their faces."
 
"Witnessing older students mentor younger ones and hearing the children's joyful songs during chapel was a beautiful experience. Each moment was infused with prayer, reminding everyone of God's guiding presence in our efforts. The experience left everyone with full hearts, a renewed sense of purpose, and a shared belief in the transformative impact of serving others through Christ's teachings."

The team was grateful for the opportunity to serve both the church and the school. As they watched the team at work, the students frequently expressed their gratitude and grew increasingly optimistic, witnessing the transformation unfold right before their eyes each day.
 
Lutheran Church Charities extends sincere thanks to the following LERT and SFA volunteers and congregations from Illinois for their unwavering service, heartfelt prayers, and steadfast support. Your commitment makes a profound difference and brings hope to those suffering and in need.
 
Cross, Yorkville - Linda Arnold, Pastor Erik Gauss, Carrie Howard, Barb and Gary Lewison, Mike Moe, John Sleezer
 
Trinity, Lisle - Ed and Jan Boerman, Dale and Beth Durfey, Linda Fergusen, Jim and Veronica Reuter, Ed Schwartz, Skip and Karen Sorenson, Wayne and Sandy Witek, Kent Worrell

In September 2024, North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.

LERT volunteers helped Mrs. L. clear large uprooted trees and debris from her farm and out of her corn field. With eight feet of water flowing through her property, the usually gentle creek became a torrent that knocked down large oak trees around her home and left lots of debris in her corn fields.
 
The dedicated LCC LERT volunteers worked tirelessly to help Mrs. L. clear her land, removing the remnants of the storm that had wreaked havoc on her home and livelihood. Their hands-on assistance not only alleviated the physical burden of debris removal but also provided Mrs. L. with a renewed sense of hope.
 
"I am so grateful for the help," she expressed, her voice filled with emotion. "I hope to replant my crops this spring, and with this support, I believe I can."

Our dedicated LERT volunteers had the honor of assisting Mr. and Mrs. W. by removing numerous downed and leaning trees from their expansive property. Following Mr. W.'s recent major cancer surgery, he expressed immense gratitude for the care and support provided by our team. Once capable of managing such tasks himself, Mr. W. found it challenging to ask for help, yet he was deeply touched by our willingness to step in. We reminded him that it is our privilege to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out to those in need with love and compassion.

LERT volunteers demonstrated compassion and skill while helping a couple restore their property. Mr. R. suffered a traumatic brain injury a few years ago and has short-term memory difficulties.
 
Despite the challenges of dealing with multiple fallen oak trees from their neighbor's yard that miraculously missed the couple's home and a dangerous leaning tree, these dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the home. They worked with great care using several rigging techniques to avoid any damage during the removal process of the large tree. After several hours, it was finally brought to the ground safely, without causing any damage to the house, shed, or fencing.
 
Throughout their service, they connected with Mr. R., patiently listening to his stories and providing emotional support, embodying the essence of community care. The homeowners expressed immense gratitude, not only for the physical assistance but for the genuine connections made during this trying time.

LCC LERT wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful congregation of Mt. Pisgah in Hendersonville for their unwavering hospitality and support. Your generous provision of meals and a welcoming environment have been instrumental in empowering LCC teams to serve with passion and dedication.
 
Your commitment to outreach and care not only uplifts our volunteers but also profoundly impacts the lives of those we serve together. Thank you for embodying the spirit of compassion and community that is central to our mission at LCC.
 
LCC Disaster Response extends sincere thanks to the following LERT volunteers and congregations for their willing service, prayers, and support:

ILLINOIS
 
Immanuel, Batavia
Bill Pietsch
 
Immanuel, DeKalb
Pete Springmire
 
Immanuel, Shobonier
Fran Collier
 
Lord of Life, Elburn
Kevin Krage, Terry and Mary Kramer, Max Metz, Dave Smercina,
Larry Zagorski
 
St. John, Wheaton
Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, Julianna and Kate Madden, Anna Piro
 
St. John, Wilmette
Tom Morrison
 
St. Paul, Rockford
Dean and Carol Ullrich

IOWA
 Trinity, Davenport
Ken Stotmeister
 
INDIANA
 St. John, Dillsboro
Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
 
TEXAS
 St. Paul, Austin
Pastor Robert LeBlanc

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left many communities in need, and there's still much work to be done. Lutheran Church Charities and our LERT volunteers remain steadfast in their commitment to continue to provide compassionate support in the long recovery process to those affected by Helene. Please keep all those affected in your prayers as we work together to rebuild lives and restore hope.

In September 2024, North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.
 
Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) volunteers assessed 104 sites and completed 70 sites during a three-week deployment in western North Carolina in September and October 2024.

They were invited to return to cut and remove fallen and leaning trees from homeowners' properties, as many of these hard-hit communities are still devastated and have just become accessible. Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, has been in North Carolina since last week assessing damage in Hendersonville, Asheville, N.C., and surrounding areas.

This week, Deaconess O’Day, Jamie Miller, LCC Disaster Response Equipment Manager, and 23 Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers returned to serve out of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville with Pastor Jonathan Christensen. They will also be working with Pastor Jeffrey Skopak from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville.

Three LERT women volunteers met with a homeowner and her family down the road from Mr. B’s. As they listened to the homeowner's harrowing story of how the fierce waters swept her home off its foundation, they offered not just material assistance through gift cards but also the invaluable gift of prayer and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
 
Despite their dire circumstances of living in tents and a mobile home with burst pipes, the family felt a renewed sense of connection and support, knowing that they are not alone in their struggle. Pastor Christiansen has been informed to ensure continued follow-up, fostering an ongoing relationship of care and community.

Serving last week were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams: Genesis with Tom and Sue Baldwin of Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA; Isaac with Julie Blyckert of Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA, and Miriam Deuel of Christ the King, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lois with Diana Bartholomew and Cheri Baker of First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV; Micah with Marilyn Hunter and Jonna Dolinta of Light of the Valley, Elk Grove, CA; Rahab with Bobby and Laura Moore of St. Andrews, Stockton, CA; Salome with Drew Santibanez of Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV.

Lutheran Church Charities has been deeply engaged in bringing hope and compassion to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles. Over the weekend and into the first half of the week, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer led two Community Care Events hosted at First Lutheran Church in Venice and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. These gatherings provided a safe space for individuals to share their stories, receive prayer, and experience the hope found in Christ.

All six LCC Comfort Dog teams stopped by Los Angeles Fire Station #110 in Marina Del Rey, CA, just south of Santa Monica, to uplift firefighters logging long hours day after day. They delivered a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and greeted members of the station house on the driveway with pets and wagging tails.
 
The teams also visited the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates LA’s emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts.
 
The teams presented another HMC to thank workers who face stress-filled days at the city’s crisis nerve center. The dogs’ calming presence brought smiles and a chance to catch their breath.

Across town, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers made an unscheduled appearance at the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day for residents to get to know one another better. The celebratory event went on as a means of strengthening acquaintances and getting a breather from the stress.
 
Yesterday the Comfort Dog teams visited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to encourage staff members working to limit insurance fraud, as well as Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA, to bring joy to service members and their families.
 
The deployment continues through the remainder of this week with visits to Flintridge Prep School, which is resuming classes today, and a pair of outings to the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner.