This past weekend, the McHenry County L.E.R.T. utilized the boom lift and rigging to help two families with chainsaw work.

The first was to trim some branches that were hanging too low over the driveway and street. The other was to remove a large leaning walnut tree that was dangling dangerously over the roofs of two homes.

L.E.R.T. volunteers Alan Holm, Bruce Preston, and Ron Jones had help from the homeowners and family members. This was a large job to complete safely and the homeowners were impressed with the professional assistance and willingness to serve.

Joel and Lori Powless from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church L.E.R.T. in Frankfort, Illinois, helped a congregation member this past weekend from Trinity Lutheran in Tinley Park, Illinois, cut and remove a tree that was damaged during recent storms. The homeowners returned from vacation to find half of their tree on the ground, which thankfully had just missed their house.

The homeowner sent a thank you note and pictures of the work done. “Here is what is left of my tree. Thanks to your team and LCC for all you did to make this happen. The cross now faces my street as a testimony of Christ to all who pass by.”

Several Lord of Life Lutheran Church Lutheran, Elburn (La Fox), Illinois, Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) members helped three congregation member families clean up their yards with chainsaws and the bobcat. Two were elderly who had many limbs and brush to trim and remove from winter and spring storms. The other family was a widow with children with a couple of acres of land that had many fallen limbs and brush to cut and remove. Each family was very grateful for the assistance and the willing hands and hearts that served them.

The Prince of Peace (Palatine, Illinois) Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) members were asked by Dave Penner, Director of Care Ministry, to assist an elderly congregation member with trimming bushes, yard work, and outside painting. L.E.R.T. members Jim and Karen Beckley, and Richard and Bonnie Habegger spent a few hours helping the homeowner, who thanked all for their assistance.

It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow in the LCMS with volunteers willing to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus in service to those suffering and in need.

Last week, Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response received a thank you card from a family in Crescent City, Illinois expressing their thanks for the work our LERT teams did on their property. The family had multiple trees downed due to 90 mph straight line winds that swept through Crescent City on May 23. The LERT teams were able to safely cut and remove the trees around their home. The homeowner also worked with our team hauling wood with his tractor. In the card sent, they wrote:

“Please thank the LERT volunteers for helping us after the storm damage took out nine trees on May 23. The work went really fast with so many! God bless all!”

In addition to the thank you card, the family also made a monetary donation to LCC to support future disaster response efforts.

Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members consider it a privilege and blessing to be able to serve in the name of Jesus Christ to those affected by a disaster.