On Saturday, October 16, L.E.R.T. volunteers, Missy Dieckman, Nate Graf, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta from St. Peter, Schaumburg, Illinois, and Kristin Bilar from Trinity, Roselle, Illinois, helped a widow in Naperville, Illinois, remove two storm-damaged trees from her yard. Her son enjoyed working with the team and appreciated the assistance given and care shown to his mom.

This week, Jim Beckley, Marty Johnson, and Dave Mummah, Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers, completed the last two sites requesting assistance from the Woodridge-Naperville-Downers Grove, Illinois EF-3 tornado that struck on June 21.
 
Since the tornado, approximately 105 L.E.R.T. team members completed chainsaw work at 89 sites and helped five families sort, pack, and move out of their damaged homes.
 
It has been a blessing to serve in our disaster-affected communities these last few months. Our hard work has been greatly appreciated by homeowners and village representatives.

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Hillside express their sincere thanks to Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers for removing several widow maker-hanging limbs from a large tree in front of the church with the boom lift.
 
They also removed three dead trees from the field around the school playground and trimmed hanging branches on playground equipment. The younger children were thrilled to watch the work being completed and presented the team with a handmade banner of thanks.

On Sunday, October 3, Joel and Lori Powless had the opportunity to share about L.E.R.T. at St. John Lutheran Church in Country Club Hills, Illinois. After the service, Joel cut down a large dead tree in front of their church and carved a cross in the stump for all to see.

The church sits on several acres of land, and Joel was able to assess other tree removal needs with the church trustee, for a L.E.R.T. chainsaw and equipment operators to do in the future.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, Illinois, is now serving with the Woodridge Tornado Long-Term Recovery Group, which is comprised of various community churches and organizations that are willing to help their town recover from the EF-3 tornado that struck in June. Trinity and Lutheran Church Charities continue to respond to requests by this recovery group and Mayor Gina Cunningham to help more families with tree cleanup.
 
Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members Jim Beckley, Ed Boerman, and Bob Royce, worked at homes in Woodridge and Naperville to cut and move damaged trees to the curb this past week. LCC will be responding to two more requests soon.

This past week, the LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team was asked by Mayor Gina Cunningham of Woodridge, Illinois, to help four more families with tree damage from the June 21st EF-3 tornado. Each of the homeowners were grateful that we would still commit to helping them after several months have passed.
 
We explained that this is a volunteer ministry that serves through our local church in an affected community with the mercy and compassion of Christ.
 
The homeowners shared that the removed trees and volunteers were a blessing to them.

On Wednesday, September 22, twenty-three L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members participated in "Saluting Branches" at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, and one L.E.R.T. team member at South National Cemetery in St. Charles, Illinois.
 
"Saluting Branches" is a national event for arborists and other tree care professionals throughout the country to unite and provide exceptional tree care to keep our veterans' cemeteries safe, beautiful places for all those who visit.
 
Many of our L.E.R.T. team members are veterans themselves, but all who serve at this event feel it is an honor and privilege to give back to those who served our country.

LCC thanks the following L.E.R.T. team members for their willingness to serve:
 
Cross, Yorkville – Derek Kowalczyk
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless
Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger
Lord of Life, Elburn – Jeff Johnston, Mike Rullman, Larry Zagorski
Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Bruce Preston, Gary Rucker
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Tom Prickette
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Ed Damman
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Bob and Barbara Royce, Ken Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Bill Flowers, Mike Kostecki
Trinity, Villa Park – Jim and Debbie Long

Yesterday, a team helped Mrs. C. remove two large downed tree limbs from recent strong windstorms in Dolton, Illinois. We helped her brother, who lives in Naperville, after the devastating tornadoes hit that area.

The L.E.R.T. team then headed to Downers Grove, Illinois, to help an 82-year-old man who had a large tree limb leaning on his roof and broke his chimney since the Naperville tornado. He kept saying, “I can’t believe that you came to help me. This was such a hard thing to do, and you were so professional in how you removed it without causing further damage.”

LCC thanks the following L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members who served yesterday:
 
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Dan Swyndroski
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman
 
Both homeowners were thankful that LCC chainsaw teams came to help them in their time of need. It is a privilege to serve fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

Mr. T. told us he could not believe everything we got done in a day and how well his property now looked and has improved access. He greatly appreciated that it was the church that came to his aid and that he could see Jesus working through all present.

Both homeowners extend thanks and blessings to the following L.E.R.T. team members for all of their willing hands and hearts of service:

Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn
Lord of Life, Elburn – Ken Johnston, Matt Rullman, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley, Dan and Bobbie Swyndroski
Shepherd of Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Ron Jones
St. John, Sycamore – Steve Brown
St. John, Wheaton – Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Roy and Pat Rose, Dave Schlesselman, Pete and Crystal Springmire, Rich Wren
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki
Trinity, Villa Park – Jim and Debbie Long

LCC Disaster Response considers it a privilege to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Palatine and St. John, Wheaton Lutheran Early Response Teams (L.E.R.T.) helped an Immanuel Lutheran Church member with a storm-damaged, splitting tree from the strong winds and storms that occurred last week.

The homeowner is very thankful to Jim and Karen Beckley, Marty Johnson, Steve MacKay, Charlie Powers, and Pete Springmire for their willingness to serve and making her home and property safe.

This week, the Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) helped two Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine, Illinois, members who had trees and limbs fall on their roof and properties from the strong winds and storms that occurred this past Friday.

Both families expressed their gratitude to Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard Habegger, Steve MacKay, and Dede Thut for their willing service and hard work.

Lutheran Church Charities recently held two Stihl Chainsaw Maintenance Trainings for 40 chainsaw operators led by Andrew Guettler, Midwest Region Stihl Technical Sales Specialist. Kevin and Thea Krage graciously hosted both trainings in their barn.
 
Andrew gave a very informative presentation on how to best maintain chainsaws for optimal use. After his presentation, each operator took apart his own saw for cleaning and further maintenance tips from Andrew. Each person who attended said they learned many new things that will help them as they serve others. They appreciated the time and information Andrew gave each of them at each training session.

On Thursday, June 17, Northern Illinois experienced several fast-moving storms with high winds in the evening. As a result of these, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was called for chainsaw assistance.

One home was located in Lake Barrington, Illinois, and had a large tree fall across the driveway. Jim Beckley and Richard Habegger from Prince of Peace, Palatine L.E.R.T. responded immediately to cut and remove the tree so the homeowner could regain access to their home.

The other home was in Lockport, Illinois, and had a large tree fall next to their home, taking down their electric lines to the house. They also had to fell a tree that was left-leaning dangerously towards the house. Larry and Dan Zagorski from Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. spent two days felling and cutting these trees for Dan’s neighbor to help this homeowner make his property safe again.

Both homeowners were very appreciative of the quick response and much-needed assistance.

The Palatine and St. John Wheaton, Illinois, L.E.R.T. teams spent two days this week helping a family with an elderly mother and a disabled daughter fell a large dead evergreen tree very near their home using the boom lift. They also removed other dangerous hanging tree limbs around the yard and cleared much-overgrown brush. The teams loaded the LCC 24’ dump trailer and hauled all of the wood and brush away to a donated site for disposal.

The family thanks the following L.E.R.T. volunteers for their willing service:
 
Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Mike Kaminski, Dan Swyndroski
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Marty Johnson
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Lois Lehman

This was a large job to complete safely, and the homeowners were very appreciative of the professional assistance and care shown to them.

Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) comprises volunteers from Prince of Peace and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Palatine, Illinois. During the month of May, both churches featured Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. as their mission partner. They asked their respective congregations to donate cleaning supplies to fill 5-gallon flood buckets to give to those in need after a disaster.
 
Home Depot in Mount Prospect, Illinois, donated twenty-five buckets with lids and a case of hand sanitizer. The buckets were assembled and sent with prayers for their future recipients this week for Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams.

Lutheran Church Charities held the annual L.E.R.T. chainsaw training and service event workday at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 14-15. On Friday evening, the Basic LCMS Chainsaw class was co-led by LCC/LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors Ed Boerman (ISA Certified Arborist), Marty Johnson, and Pete Springmire.

On Saturday, thirty-six basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and L.E.R.T. team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear Walcamp grounds of downed or damaged trees, limbs, and brush.

The ten first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to practice felling and cutting trees and limbs.

The following L.E.R.T. team volunteers participated in the annual L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Training and Workday at Walcamp:

Illinois
Cross, Yorkville – Scott McGregor
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel and Lori Powless
Immanuel, Belvidere – Carl Jurgens
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Doug and Kelley Hoyt
Immanuel, Palatine – Tim Laabs
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collins
Lord of Life, Elburn – Matt Luhman, Zachary Luhman, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski
Mt. Olive, Rockford – Tom Newton
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley
Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm
St. John, Sycamore – Steve Brown
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Palmer Goodwin, Byron Heidorn, Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Anna Piro
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Matteson – Dennis Pieper
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Ed Damman
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki, Dick Sonntag
Trinity, Villa Park – Jim Long
 
Iowa
Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
 
It was a good day to enjoy being outside in God’s creation with much work being accomplished, chainsaw lessons practiced, and teamwork enjoyed with brothers and sisters in Christ. Walcamp Operations Director Bill Indelli expressed his thanks to all present for their willingness to serve to prepare the campgrounds for the ministry they do.