LCC Lutheran Early Response Teams Help Northern Illinois Residents with Damage from Recent Ice Storm2/28/2023
On Wednesday, February 22, the Northern Illinois area experienced a freezing rain storm that left a quarter to a half inch of ice on roads, homes, trees, and power lines causing widespread power outages. It also caused a lot of damage and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads.
Helping Missionary Serving in Belize ![]() Gary Kessler, GEO Missionary to Belize, contacted LCC Disaster Response from Belize to ask if we would look at the roof of his home here in Northern Illinois that had sustained some damage from large falling limbs in the ice storm. A L.E.R.T. volunteer from St. John-Wheaton went to his home the same day as his request. He was able to remove several limbs from the roof and patch a small hole so there would be no leaking. We sent pictures of the repair and clean-up to Gary upon completion. The following note of thanks was received: Sue and I cannot thank you enough. Being so far from home, you can imagine how this incident was weighing on our minds. As we serve others here, you have served us back home. What beautiful Christian symmetry. Much love to all our friends at LCC. God's richest blessings to you all, Gary and Sue Kessler GEO Missionary to Belize Assisting Widow with Large Tree Damage A congregation member and widow from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn received assistance from L.E.R.T. volunteers utilizing chainsaws and heavy equipment. They removed a large limb of a tree that had split and fallen across the front of her home and roof. She was very thankful for the help and compassion shown to her by the team as they worked at her home. Serving Pastor and His Family with Tree Damage Pastor Blackford from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn had a large tree in his front yard that had split in half during the ice storm. L.E.R.T. volunteers carefully felled the damaged half that was still standing, and cut and moved all tree debris to the curb. He and his wife were very appreciative of our response to make his yard safe for his children and to protect his home from damage. Willing Hearts and Hands Help Deaconess with Uprooted Trees A Deaconess in Belvidere had two uprooted trees and many limbs come down in their backyard during the ice storm. Five L.E.R.T. volunteers cut and stacked all of the wood from these trees into firewood length and put limbs into a burn pile. The hard work completed by willing hearts and hands to serve a sister in Christ was greatly appreciated. Helping Crystal Lake Neighborhood Hit Hard During Storm One neighborhood in Crystal Lake had several homes that experienced tree damage. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers were able to help nine homeowners clear downed trees, limbs, and dangerous hangers from their properties. All were grateful for the willingness of these volunteers to serve them on a cold and snowy day. LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
Helping Impacted Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas |
Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Jamie Miller, LCC DR Staff, and twenty-seven LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw volunteers have completed work at sixty-two sites after two weeks of serving in Selma, Alabama. They were able to provide debris removal and utilize chainsaws, lift, and bobcats to remove many downed and damaged trees from tornado-devastated properties.
Pastor Ed Brashier, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, will continue to operate a LCMS base camp for L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers through Pastor Steven Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma until at least February 20th as there are many more residents needing assistance.
“It was our blessing that they came to offer their service. God manages to have angels all around us. I say that they are our guardian angels,” shares a homeowner. “Of all the groups here, I’m most proud and elated that we have a Lutheran Response Team and I’ve been singing it all over town. Just to know that we are in that mix of groups that volunteer and donate their time. It’s a blessing.”
“We Were Blessed by Angels”
Mr. and Mrs. W. and their mother had just moved to Selma from Connecticut in November. They have two homes next to each other, along with a barn and in-ground pool surrounded by several large shade trees. Unfortunately, about twenty trees on their property fell during the tornado filling their pool, landing on the roof of their barn, and blocking access to their yards and driveway. No one had come by to offer them any assistance, and they did not know how they were going to clear their properties to make them usable and safe again. |
They could not believe that a large group of L.E.R.T. volunteers would come and help them. They worked alongside the team and kept telling everyone they did not know why they were so blessed by these angels that so willingly and joyfully helped them. They were also overwhelmed by the cross presented to them, carved into a piece of their tree and signed by all present. Many thanks and hugs were given to each volunteer. |
Elderly Homeowner Trusts L.E.R.T. Volunteers to Clear Her Property
She stated she asked her neighbors what they thought of the work done by the L.E.R.T. volunteers, and after hearing great reviews, she stated she was willing to trust us to help rid her front yard of very dangerous large hanging limbs.
She was well pleased with the men who used the lift to make her property safe again, shared the mercy and compassion of Christ, and presented her with a quilt from their congregation.
Illinois:
Heartland Normal – Tony Buchberger
Immanuel DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire
Immanuel Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel Palatine – Jim Beckley
Lord of Life Elburn – Terry and Mary Kramer, Max Metz, Larry Zagorski
Shepherd of the Cross McHenry – Alan Holm
St. John East Moline – Ken and Janet Hill
St. John Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Dave Schlesselman, Rich Wren
St. John Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
Zion Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif
Indiana:
St. John Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
Iowa:
Trinity Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
Wisconsin:
St. Paul Grafton – Mark and Beverly Breuggemann, Stu Natale
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Last week, LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers Laura Ciletti and CJ Kraft from Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield and Roger Kautz from Prince of Peace in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, deployed to drywall homes in the Copperfield Subdivision. They were joined by a team from Oklahoma as well. Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, observed the L.E.R.T. teams working and had dinner with them.
They shared that they “had a blast” serving and enjoying time with the church host families. They felt it was a blessing to serve.
Helping Impacted Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas |
There was a loss of nine lives in Alabama and Georgia from this storm. One EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 23 miles through Selma, Alabama. It affected one-third of the town. In Selma alone, 3,300 homes, businesses, schools, and churches were damaged or destroyed by the tornado.
Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response and twenty-four LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) staff and volunteer teams have been serving homeowners through Pastor Steve Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma, Alabama. In their first week, chainsaw volunteers have completed work at twenty-six sites. They will continue to serve in this hard-hit community until February 4 with the LCMS Southern District.
Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, joined Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, and Rev. Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, to visit affected homeowners and see the L.E.R.T. volunteers in action.
Sheltered in Their Hallway, 95-Year-Old Couple Shares “We Never Want to Go through this Again!”

Larry said he watched a neighbor’s roof fly through the air. They were very scared they would not survive but compared to the destroyed homes just a block over from them, they know God was good and spared them. They both stated, “I never want to go through this again!”
We were able to clear the fallen trees and debris that fell on and around Larry's garden and around his shed. They loved the quilt presented to them by a L.E.R.T. member.
Homeowner Helps L.E.R.T. Team Clear His Property
LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers also helped Mr. M., who lived next door, remove a lot of fallen and damaged trees, limbs, and debris from his one-acre property. It took three skid steers, a 50’ boom lift, and twelve volunteers all day to complete the work at his and Larry’s homes. Mr. M. also worked all day with the L.E.R.T. volunteers. He was very appreciative of all of the willing hands to make his property safe again. He could not believe we would bring all this equipment from so far away to help him at no cost. He thanked and hugged each of us several times before we left. |
Couple with Historic Home Blessed by L.E.R.T. Volunteers
Mr. and Mrs. M. have an old historic home that has been in their family for five generations. Mr. M. is recovering from a recent heart transplant and cannot do any work on his own yet. The tornado caused major damage and destruction in their neighborhood. Their home had some roof damage, but they had three badly damaged pecan trees left standing; one tree leaning on their shed and other trees with large widow makers hanging in their front and backyards. The LCC L.E.R.T. team worked two days with the boom lift and careful rigging at their home in order to remove these dangerous trees and make their property safe again to enjoy. They were so grateful for the help and pleased to get to know each “brother and sister in Christ that was sent by God to bless them.” |
LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Helping Impacted Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas
Nine lives lost in Alabama and Georgia

One EF-3 tornado was on the ground for 23 miles through Selma, Alabama. It affected one-third of the town. In Selma alone, 3,300 homes, businesses, schools, and churches were damaged or destroyed by the tornado. This was part of a long-track EF-3 tornado that went through three states with 150 mph winds. It was on the ground for 76 miles and was ¾-mile wide going through Selma and into Georgia.

Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) staff and volunteer teams will be serving homeowners through Pastor Steve Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma, Alabama, from Sunday, January 22, to at least Saturday, February 4.
“All I Could Do Was Cry Out to God to Protect Me” Shares a Wife Who Sheltered in Place

She told us how scared she was to hear the sounds of trees falling and glass breaking as the tornado passed through her neighborhood. She stated, “All I could do was cry out to God to protect me.” After it passed, she went outside to see many of her neighbors' homes destroyed. She could hear some crying out for help under debris, and she could just cry and pray. Thankfully, no one perished, but many of her friends have lost everything.
She is so grateful for all of the help that has arrived to help her community. She was especially thankful for the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers that worked at her home all day to make it safe again.
Church Member Homeowner Serves Alongside of L.E.R.T. Team
Helping an Elderly Gentleman Who Rode Out Storm in His Closet
He had a lot of tree damage, and a large limb came through his roof. He feels he was blessed as he looks at all of the homes destroyed and loss around him. He was very thankful for the professional help and care shown to him.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Working with LCMS Disaster Response & LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator to Help Impacted Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas
Nine lives lost in Alabama and Georgia
"For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” (Isaiah 49:13)

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response has been invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, and Rev. Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, to provide chainsaw assistance with the lift and heavy equipment, and assist residents in sorting and salvaging belongings in the lower income, hard-hit neighborhoods of Selma, Alabama. Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) staff and volunteer teams will be serving homeowners through Pastor Steve Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma, Alabama, from Sunday, January 22, to at least Saturday, February 4.
LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

This area experienced the hurricane-driven flood surge. All had 4’-8’ of water throughout their homes. Families had to be rescued, and all have lost what little they had owned.
Most of these families are now living in fully gutted homes, old campers, and even some tents on their property – and they will be living like this for at least the next six months to a year or more until their homes can be repaired or rebuilt.
Your Donations Purchased 40 Microwaves and 50 Chairs!
Donate to Continue to Help 40 – 50 Families in Need!
Zion is continuing to meet with Debra to see what basic living needs – such as microwaves, crockpots, hot plates, mini refrigerators, card tables, and chairs – are still needed by 40-50 families that can be met with LCC assistance. This will allow families to cook simple meals, have a place to sit and eat, and for children to do homework as they try to live as best they can in their gutted homes with minimal functional electrical outlets.
LCC L.E.R.T. Volunteers Continue to Serve in Florida

Jan Boerman and Linda Arnold were able to distribute air mattresses, pillows, blankets, children’s backpacks, and other items from Zion’s distribution center to many families who have lost everything in devastated South Fort Myers neighborhoods. These families were very grateful to receive these items, as they have also lost their means of transportation and could not get to the church to get much needed supplies or were afraid to leave their damaged homes. They consider it a blessing to pray with and serve residents of this area that have not received a lot of attention or assistance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Please prayerfully consider donating to help Lutheran Church Charities and Zion Lutheran Church help Harlem Heights families who are struggling and in need.
Chainsaw Worksites Completed: 78
Muck Out & Salvaging Belongings Completed: 11

These communities were in the eye of a slow-moving hurricane, with residents enduring nine hours of sheltering in place while 125+mph winds and multiple tornadoes passed over their homes.
Since our arrival, LCC has completed 102 property assessments of tree damage which requires chainsaw and heavy equipment assistance. We are also assessing for debris removal or helping homeowners salvage their belongings from heavily damaged or destroyed homes.
Most of all, L.E.R.T. volunteers are present to provide spiritual and emotional care with those they serve.
Helping a Recent Widow with Property Damage
Last week, we shared that one of the homeowners, a very recent widow, told the team working at her home, “You are a group of angels sent by God.” She came to worship at Lakeside Lutheran Church last Sunday, and the first thing she said was, “There’s my angels!” The L.E.R.T. volunteers and Pastor David Dahlke gave a very warm welcome to their new friend and spent a lot of time with her after the service. The Pastor and congregation members look forward to seeing her often. |
Removing a Giant Tree from Hard-Hit Property
LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers helped a homeowner cut and remove a giant tree trunk. The team learned it was a Ramose tree they had not seen before. They enjoyed getting to know the family and felt blessed by the time spent with the 94-year-old grandma. She was very thankful and hugged everyone for helping them. The L.E.R.T. volunteers feel blessed to serve over ten families in this hard-hit, low-income community who are trying to recover from heavily damaged property. |
Helping Homeowner Recovering from Recent Open Heart Surgery
Working Together to Serve Homeowners in Need
Members from Lakeside Lutheran Church worked side-by-side with L.E.R.T. volunteers from Trinity-Lisle to help several families salvage belongings and make home repairs from damage after the hurricane. Many roofs came off, or flying debris caused holes where heavy rain came in. They helped five families this past week move flood-damaged belongings out of homes, installed new windows, replaced a water heater, made minor repairs, or salvaged belongings. Residents are overwhelmed with the devastation and need the reassurance and hope found in Jesus Christ. Our teams are being the hands and feet of Jesus – it has been a great week of serving! |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
Week Two Helping Churches and Homeowners with
Physical Recovery and Spiritual Care
Working with LCMS Florida-Georgia District Disaster Response Coordinators to Help Impacted Churches, Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas with Recovery Efforts

These communities were in the eye of a slow-moving hurricane, with residents enduring nine hours of sheltering in place while 125+mph winds and multiple tornadoes passed over their homes. Additional L.E.R.T. volunteers continue to arrive throughout the deployment.
Pastor David Dahlke from LCC’s host church Lakeside Lutheran Church in Venice, Florida, shares, “One of the life lessons we learn early from the Bible is Love your neighbor … what do we do next. And God's hands send the people of L.E.R.T.” He continues, “Help them, serve them and care for them … God calls his church together – hand to hand, life to life, soul to soul – to touch people’s lives and bring them that peace that can only come from the hands of God.” Pastor Dahlke and his congregation are being the hands of Christ to the L.E.R.T. volunteers and to the community. They are so grateful that “God would send Samaritans to not only help them but to pray with them.”

During their first week in Florida, L.E.R.T. volunteers completed twenty-three tree-damaged property sites and seven property sites with debris removal or salvaging assistance. The teams worked at four churches, two pastor homes, eight church worker or congregational staff homes, and many community residents. Several properties were multi-day sites, including tree removal from rooftops.
LCC Disaster Response is one of three recovery basecamps established by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Rev. Ross Johnson, Director LCMS Disaster Response, Rev. Michael Meyer, Director of Disaster Training, and Jay Wendland, FL-GA District Disaster Response Coordinator visited the LCC base camp this week. They were impressed and thankful for what we have completed, and for our servant hearts to those in need. |
During the LCC Disaster Response deployment to aid those devastated by Hurricane Ian, staff and volunteers were blessed to meet Mrs. S and hear her family's story. The family are members at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Englewood, Florida. When LCC staff arrived at the family home to assess the property, it became clear that the need for emotional and spiritual support was as great as the need for help with physical damage.
"I'm tired of having to be strong," Mrs. S confessed with tears in her eyes. She and her husband had saved for years to purchase their first home. One year ago, they finally bought a home, which was a dream come true. Now that home is unlivable. During the hurricane, the ceiling collapsed. Water got into the home, which created harmful mold and damaged nearly all of their possessions. Mrs. S described the emotional process of throwing away precious items from her childhood that she had passed down to her own children. Beyond the physical losses, Mrs. S is concerned for her beloved children.
Robert and his wife sheltered in place for nine hours while the eye of the storm passed over their house. Protecting his wife with a mattress and his own body in a closet, they relied on their strong faith as they read Psalms and prayed for their safety. The Lord heard their prayers!
Betty prepared a safe place in her closet but took refuge in the Lord. The wind was so loud that she didn’t even hear a large tree fall down on the power lines right next to her house. She laid on her bed and sang a beloved hymn, giving her peace that the Lord would protect her. She thanks all of the L.E.R.T. volunteers, saying that it is so wonderful to know that people who don’t even know you care about you. "It’s so much easier knowing God is leading you, guiding you, and sending you people like yourselves to help." |
Helping a Recent Widow with Property Damage
One of the homeowners, a very recent widow, told the team working at her home, “You are a group of angels sent by God.” It is a blessing to listen to everyone’s stories, offer prayers, and serve them in the name of the Lord. Residents are overwhelmed with the devastation and need the reassurance and hope found in Jesus Christ. Our teams are being the hands and feet of Jesus, serving others in their time of need. |
LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
Working with LCMS Florida-Georgia District Disaster Response Coordinators to Help Impacted Churches, Individuals and Families in Hardest-Hit Areas with Recovery Efforts
As the storm swept ashore in southwest Florida, it raged across the state with catastrophic 150 mph winds and a deadly storm surge of up to 18 feet. Estimated to be about 140 miles wide, it was downgraded from a high category 4 hurricane to a tropical storm as it moved slowly northeast, causing vast destruction and major flooding.

On Sunday, October 9, eighteen LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers arrived in Florida with chainsaws, heavy equipment, and servant-hearts to begin the massive recovery effort in our designated communities of Venice, Port Charlotte, and Englewood until the end of October. Additional L.E.R.T. volunteers will arrive throughout the deployment.
As of Monday, five churches, four pastors, and thirty-one congregation members from five different churches need immediate property assistance. Assessments began upon arrival, and some of the homeowner damage is so bad that homes are uninhabitable. Additional assessments will continue throughout the three-week deployment.
On Monday, LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers completed all of the property clean-up at the host church, Lakeside Lutheran, in Venice, Florida. Pastor David Dahlke and congregation members are very welcoming and supportive of our team members. They are amazed at all of the work done to clean up their property so quickly. Lakeside’s mission is “to joyfully serve,” and they have been joyfully serving our L.E.R.T. volunteers so that we can represent them as we serve in their communities.
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Englewood, Florida, is in a pastoral vacancy. They have survived Hurricane Ian but have sustained major damage to the church, daycare, and school. Approximately 100 trees are down throughout their property. Members are feeling hopeless but have strong faith that God will provide for all of their needs. Early Tuesday morning, the LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers came ready to help and began the clean-up effort. They will be working at least four days on this property alone. |
I want everyone to come here and see what you are doing. I feel like we’ve been losing hope, but you’re restoring our hope. Congregational Leadership, Redeemer Lutheran Church Seeing God’s hands in action through our dedicated L.E.R.T. volunteers, Redeemer plans to reopen the daycare and school on October 17 once the grounds are safe. |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
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