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LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in North Miami, Florida, placed hearts and markers at the memorial site in Surfside, Florida. One was placed for each life lost as a result of this horrific tragedy. Visitors to the memorial site signed and left condolence messages. The K-9 Ministry teams were present to share love and compassion to help everyone who visited process the grief they are experiencing. Watch the video for a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Champlain Tower Collapse.  “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." Isaiah 40:1 LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charges those we serve. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
LCC K-9 Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Bring Comfort and |
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Later that day, the teams delivered hearts and markers to the memorial site in Surfside, Florida sent by LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion. One will be placed for everyone who has not survived this horrific tragedy. Visitors to the memorial site can sign and leave condolence messages.
The children from Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School signed the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for those who died in the horrific collapse.
The children from Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School signed the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for those who died in the horrific collapse.
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Watch the short video below to see how LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion is serving Surfside, Florida.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their ministry teams were present at the memorial site to share love and compassion to help everyone who stopped by to process the grief they are experiencing.
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The teams were blessed to spend time with the brave and dedicated fire rescuers who have been working long shifts in pretty extreme conditions to find the missing loved ones.
Many of these courageous men and women have been missing their families. The team shared some LCC K-9 Comfort Dog stuffies with them to take to their children.
One of the firefighters placed the Comfort Dog stuffie he was saving to give to his daughter in his boot, as his hands were filled with his personal protective equipment at the end of his shift. Seth Comfort Dog sensed this firefighter needed some comfort and attention and gently leaned into the firefighter letting him know he was loved.
Many of these courageous men and women have been missing their families. The team shared some LCC K-9 Comfort Dog stuffies with them to take to their children.
One of the firefighters placed the Comfort Dog stuffie he was saving to give to his daughter in his boot, as his hands were filled with his personal protective equipment at the end of his shift. Seth Comfort Dog sensed this firefighter needed some comfort and attention and gently leaned into the firefighter letting him know he was loved.
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We received the following note of appreciation from a Lieutenant from Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue A-Shift, Station 64:
Hello,
I am a Lieutenant Firefighter/paramedic with PBG Fire Rescue with the assignment on 7/7-7/8 throughout the night of finding victims in this horrible tragedy.
I met Peace, golden retriever, at Surfside, right after recovering victims from the pile approximately around noon on 7/8 and prior to leaving the site, awaiting the bus for transport. I felt a sense of happiness overwhelm me with meeting Peace as well as the other comfort dogs that were there. All the people that were associated with the dogs were very kind, and a warm feeling came over me. After searching on that pile and recovering victims, it leaves a sense of sadness, fear, and somberness in your heart. It makes me wonder about the families that were directly affected by the losses of their loved ones.
You are a group of kind people, and dogs were definitely a good thing to see right afterwards and gave me a happy feeling that, believe it or not, is all I needed to elevate my mood and sad feeling at that time. I want you to know that your job is not unnoticed, and your mission is definitely worth it. Me and my crew of 3 all feel the same. Thank you for giving me the stuffed little brown dog. The woman that was holding the dog left a good memory in my heart.
Please keep it up.❤️
Thank you kindly,
Lieutenant, Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue A-Shift, Station 64
On Friday, July 9, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to Trinity Christian Academy in Miami Gardens to meet the children participating in their Freedom Schools Summer Daycamp.
At Trinity Christian Academy, students learn about Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him every day. The students welcomed us with their version of the Hallelujah Chorus. Tom Moore, handler and caregiver for Mary Comfort Dog from Brookfield, Wisconsin, read to the students. The students were able to meet and interact with the Comfort Dogs. We were thrilled to have this time with them. May God bless these wonderful students, their families, the school, and their administration and teachers.
CLICK HERE to watch Trinity Christian Academy Hallelujah Chorus.
Trinity Christian Academy offers the Step Up For Students Scholarship, a private school scholarship for K-12 schoolchildren offering lower-income Florida families education choices so they can find the best learning environment for this child. 98% of the students at Trinity Christian Academy benefit from the scholarship.
On Saturday, July 10, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present during shift change to give comfort and encouragement to the fire rescuers who continue to recover the loved ones still buried in the rubble.
CLICK HERE to watch Trinity Christian Academy Hallelujah Chorus.
Trinity Christian Academy offers the Step Up For Students Scholarship, a private school scholarship for K-12 schoolchildren offering lower-income Florida families education choices so they can find the best learning environment for this child. 98% of the students at Trinity Christian Academy benefit from the scholarship.
On Saturday, July 10, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present during shift change to give comfort and encouragement to the fire rescuers who continue to recover the loved ones still buried in the rubble.
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When Judy, her husband Steve, and Jewel Comfort Dog left their church Christ of Savior, Loudon, Tennessee, for Miami, the women of the congregation had sent three prayer shawls with Judy to give out.
CLICK HERE to read how receiving a Prayer Shawl deeply touched a woman they met at the Memorial Wall.
On Sunday, July 11, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams attended services and Sunday School classes at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, North Miami. The LCC K-9 Ministry has been blessed to work with Rev. Dennis Bartels and his congregation. We thank them for inviting and helping us as the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams served in the community of Surfside and with the LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers.
The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Genesis 11:6 6
CLICK HERE to read how receiving a Prayer Shawl deeply touched a woman they met at the Memorial Wall.
On Sunday, July 11, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams attended services and Sunday School classes at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, North Miami. The LCC K-9 Ministry has been blessed to work with Rev. Dennis Bartels and his congregation. We thank them for inviting and helping us as the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams served in the community of Surfside and with the LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers.
The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." Genesis 11:6 6
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Rev. Dennis Bartels and Holy Cross Lutheran Church, North Miami members continue the mission of placing the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion markers at the Surfside memorial wall. Nine more Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers were placed yesterday in honor of the loved ones recovered and identified. Thank you Holy Cross for continuing the mission.
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We received the following note of appreciation from a Holy Cross member:
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds 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 Surfside, Florida community and the first responders who serve them in your prayers as they mourn their loved ones and friends perished in the Champlain Towers South collapse.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds 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 Surfside, Florida community and the first responders who serve them in your prayers as they mourn their loved ones and friends perished in the Champlain Towers South collapse.
Follow us on @K9Comfort (Facebook), @comfortdogs (Instagram), @K9ComfortDogs (Twitter)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams pictured with some of the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers. We will place additional hearts and markers for each of those as confirmed dead.
36 People Confirmed Dead, 109 People Still Missing
After the horrific partial collapse of the 12-story wing of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited in by Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton, LCMS District President for the Florida-Georgia District, and Rev. Dennis Bartels, Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School in North Miami. Pastor Bartels has served this community for 35 years and is well connected to the community where we will be serving. Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, are working closely with Pastor Bartels to determine where the K-9 Ministry teams will visit.
| LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield – Brookfield, Wisconsin), Hope (Faith – Marietta, Georgia), Jewel (Christ Our Savior – Loudon, Tennessee), Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia), Mary (St. Paul – Janesville, Wisconsin), Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida), Seth (Eternal Shepherd – Seneca, South Carolina), Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, Illinois) and Zoara (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head, South Carolina), along with their ministry teams, will bring comfort and hope to all who are grieving. |  |
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will serve first responders and their families who are working around the clock doing search and rescue for the 109 people who are still unaccounted for, as well as family members who have lost loved ones. First responders include emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters, police officers, city, state, and federal personnel. They are all working tirelessly with the destruction of the Champlain Towers. In addition, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will serve all in that area who are working selflessly.
On Tuesday, July 6, LCC K-9 ministry teams arrived in Miami early and visited the host church Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School. Comfort Dogs Jewel, Mary, and Seth greeted 50 summer school students as they arrived and went to each classroom. The news has been filled with many stories of this tragic event, so the K-9s brought much comfort and friendship during these difficult times.
On Tuesday, July 6, LCC K-9 ministry teams arrived in Miami early and visited the host church Holy Cross Lutheran Church & School. Comfort Dogs Jewel, Mary, and Seth greeted 50 summer school students as they arrived and went to each classroom. The news has been filled with many stories of this tragic event, so the K-9s brought much comfort and friendship during these difficult times.
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LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion sent hearts and markers for the memorial site in Surfside, Florida. One will be placed for everyone who has not survived this horrific tragedy. Currently, 36 people have been confirmed deceased with 109 still missing. Visitors to the memorial site can sign and leave condolence messages. The K-9 Ministry teams will be present to share love and compassion to help everyone who stops by process the grief they are experiencing.
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Seventy-five volunteers from eighteen congregations plus LCC staff responded very quickly to cut, paint, customize, and load 170+ Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers that were driven down to Surfside, Florida.
CLICK HERE to see LCC volunteers preparing HMC’s for Surfside, Florida.
Our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams will be driving to and staying in Miami. Travel and accommodations in the area will be expensive. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds as we prepare to deploy to serve the first responders and this devastated community.
CLICK HERE to see LCC volunteers preparing HMC’s for Surfside, Florida.
Our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams will be driving to and staying in Miami. Travel and accommodations in the area will be expensive. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds as we prepare to deploy to serve the first responders and this devastated community.
In the News
 | ‘Paws on The Ground': K-9 Comfort Dogs Deployed to Help Bring Healing to Surfside Families LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs (Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - NBC Miami) CLICK HERE to read the article |
 | Local dog goes to Florida to comfort building collapse victims LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jewel (Christ Our Savior - Loudon, Tennessee) (Sunday, July 4, 2021 – WBIR/Vinay Simlot) CLICK HERE to view broadcast |
 | Loudon comfort dog travels to Florida building collapse LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jewel (Christ Our Savior - Loudon, Tennessee) (Friday, July 2, 2021 – WATE 6 Knoxville/ Hannah Moore) CLICK HERE to view broadcast |
Lutheran Church Charities extends a heartfelt thank you to the seventy-five volunteers and LCC staff who responded very quickly to cut, paint, customize, and load 170+ Hearts of Mercy & Compassion markers sent to Surfside, Florida. We also thank LCC volunteer Mike Flaherty for driving the van and trailer, which departed for Florida on July 4th.
A total of eighteen congregations from four states were represented by the volunteers:
A total of eighteen congregations from four states were represented by the volunteers:
| Illinois • Faith – Arlington Heights • Christ Church of Oakbrook – Oakbrook • Hope – Countryside • Holy Trinity - Westmont • Immanuel – Des Plaines • Immanuel – Elmhurst • Immanuel – Palatine • Peace – Lombard • Prince of Peace – Palatine • St. Andrew – Park Ridge • St. John – Lombard • St. Paul – Skokie • St. Peter – Arlington Heights • St. Philip – Glenview Indiana • Resurrection – Crown Point • Trinity – Hobart Nevada • First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas Virginia • Our Savior’s Way – Ashburn |   |
LCC never charges those we serve! Your donations are needed to help LCC serve these families who have lost loved ones. The project cost is currently at $3,500.
LCC K-9 Ministry Teams and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Arrive in Surfside, Florida, on July 6
6/29/2021
Serving First Responders and Families after Collapse of Condominium Tower
12 People Confirmed Dead, 149+ People Still Unaccounted For
LCC sending 12 plus 149 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and Markers to Miami – Pray we only need 12!
"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." Psalm 119:76
LCC sending 12 plus 149 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and Markers to Miami – Pray we only need 12!
"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." Psalm 119:76
After the horrific partial collapse of the 12-story wing of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited in by Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton, LCMS District President for the Florida-Georgia District, and Rev. Dennis Bartels, Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in North Miami. Pastor Bartels has served this community for 35 years and is well connected to the community where we will be serving. Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, and Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, are working closely with Pastor Bartels to determine where the K-9 Ministry teams will visit.
LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion sent hearts and markers for the memorial site in Surfside, Florida. One will be placed for everyone who has not survived this horrific tragedy. Visitors to the memorial site can sign and leave condolence messages. The K-9 Ministry teams will be present to share love and compassion to help everyone who stops by process the grief they are experiencing.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Hope (Faith – Marietta, Georgia), Jewel (Christ Our Savior – Loudon, Tennessee), Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia), Mary (St. Paul – Janesville, Wisconsin), Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida), Seth (Eternal Shepherd – Seneca, South Carolina) and Zoara (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head, South Carolina), along with their ministry teams, will bring comfort and hope to all who are grieving.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Hope (Faith – Marietta, Georgia), Jewel (Christ Our Savior – Loudon, Tennessee), Lizzie (Trinity – Savannah, Georgia), Mary (St. Paul – Janesville, Wisconsin), Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida), Seth (Eternal Shepherd – Seneca, South Carolina) and Zoara (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head, South Carolina), along with their ministry teams, will bring comfort and hope to all who are grieving.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will serve first responders and their families who are working around the clock doing search and rescue for the 149+ people who are still unaccounted for, as well as family members who have lost loved ones. First responders include emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters, police officers, city, state, and federal personnel. They are all working tirelessly with the destruction of the Champlain Towers. In addition, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will serve all in that area who are working selflessly.
Our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams will be driving to and staying in Miami. Travel and accommodations in the area will be expensive. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds as we prepare to deploy to serve the first responders and this devastated community.
Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses Funds as we prepare to deploy to serve the first responders and this devastated community.
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 in Olde Town Arvada. Office Beesley was spending his summer working patrols. He also worked as a school resource officer at Oberon Middle School and had previously been at Lincoln Academy and Excel Academy Charter School. The shooting also left John Hurley, acting as a good Samaritan, dead. 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 first responders and the community during the Tuesday night vigil at Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada.
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On Wednesday, June 23, Cubby and Devorah Comfort Dogs and their team were at Olde Town Arvada, where the shooting took place, to spend time with those grieving and in shock. A new friend of Cubby and Devorah lives near where the shooting took place and was in need of some love and comfort.
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The teams also visited the Memorial at Arvada City Hall honoring Arvada Police Department Officer Gordon Beesley and John Hurley. The Comfort Dogs and the team spent time visiting with people from the community.
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These moving sentiments were chalked at the Memorial by Officer Beasley’s children and students from Oberon Middle School.
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Redeemer, Fort Collins also placed two Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, at the public memorial at the Arvada City Hall for Officer Gordon Beesley and John Hurley the day after the shooting for visitors to sign.
On Thursday, June 24, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby and Devorah, and their ministry teams, attended Officer Beesley’s Memorial Service to comfort those in attendance. The Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, was displayed in remembrance of his dedicated service.
LCC’s K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Please keep the families, community, and the Arvada Police Department in your prayers.
| 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. Redeemer, Fort Collins, Colorado placed two Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, at the public memorial at the Arvada City Hall for Officer Gordon Beesley and John Hurley the day after the shooting for visitors to sign. | |
| On Tuesday, June 16, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Abraham (Trinity - Hicksville, New York), with his law enforcement handlers, recently attended the funeral for Officer Ed Toscano of the Town of Oyster Bay, Bay Constables Department. Officer Toscano was a longtime partner of one of Abraham's police handlers, John Plank. The team was honored to visit the department during a recent training session and present them with a Heart of Mercy & Compassion. Safety Commissioner Justin McCaffrey was in attendance to receive the plaque on behalf of the department and Officers Toscano's family. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5:9 | |
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