Lord of Life, Elburn, Illinois, LERT chainsaw team members Larry Zagorski and Max Metz helped two disabled homeowners remove damaged trees from each of their properties. One homeowner, confined to a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy, had a leaning tree toward his deck and roof that was in danger of falling and causing much damage. The other man has multiple ongoing serious health issues and needed help felling and removing a dead tree in his yard. He enjoyed talking with and helping the teams as much as he could. Both individuals expressed their deep appreciation for the work done to make their homes safe and the care shown to them. Larry and Max said they felt they were the ones blessed to do this, especially during this Christmas season of giving.
It was a joyous and organized chaos with many hands and hearts caring for our neighbors. Our LERT volunteers are humbled to serve at this event. The remaining food, diapers, and sundries were donated to the People’s Resource Center of Wheaton, where the items will be given to additional families in need.
This past weekend, Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers Steve Brown, Pete and Christel Springmire served with several congregation members of St. John in Sycamore, Illinois clearing their property of trees and limbs.
Next spring will be this church’s 150th anniversary and they have begun preparation of the grounds and church for this celebration. Scott Pumroy, church property co-director worked with all of the volunteers and expressed his thanks for their hard work and willingness to serve. On Saturday, October 28, LCC held a Basic LCMS LERT training for new and recertifying team members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bourbonnais, Illinois, led by Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response. There were a total of sixteen in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois and Indiana: Good Shepherd, Frankfort Peace Lutheran, Beecher Prince of Peace, Palatine St. Paul’s, Bourbonnais Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso, Indiana It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need.
Last week, LERT chainsaw volunteers removed a dying tree from the front yard of a St. John's Lutheran Church congregation member from Lombard, Illinois.
This tree had dropped several large limbs onto their roof during recent high winds, and they did not want the entire tree to fall through the home. The LERT volunteers also removed a leaning evergreen in the backyard. Mrs. V. expressed her sincere appreciation to the following Northern Illinois District LERT volunteers for making her home and family safe: Immanuel, Dundee: Doug Hoyt, Matt Flynn, Terry Fuelling St. John, Wheaton: Marty Johnson, Rich Wren Last week, twenty-one LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers participated in "Saluting Branches" at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. Another four L.E.R.T. volunteers served at Southern Wisconsin Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The mission is to honor American service men and women by organizing volunteer tree and landscape care for the national cemeteries dedicated to our veterans. This was the seventh year LCC L.E.R.T. has proudly served our veterans who have been laid to rest. The following L.E.R.T. volunteers felt that it was truly an honor to participate in this special event: Illinois Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Heartland, Bloomington – Tony Buchberger Lord of Life, LaFox – Kevin Krage, Max Metz, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Bruce Preston St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckmann, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta, Bob Royce Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman Trinity, Villa Park – Jim Long Zion, Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif Iowa Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister Wisconsin Brookfield, Brookfield – Laura Ciletti, Cheryl DeLair Zion, Menomonee Falls – Curt and Kristen Kolell
Last week, the Palatine L.E.R.T. team helped clear a Prince of Peace member’s 90-year-old mother's home front and back yard of overgrown brush, trees, and limbs. The family could not do this work themselves nor afford to hire a professional tree company. Mrs. B. was in tears and was very grateful for all the help. She expressed her thanks for everything the team had done! It was a blessing! Another family member sent a note of thanks to the following LCC staff and Palatine L.E.R.T. volunteers for their willing service: Jim Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Steve MacKay, Kathy O’Day, Marta Rees and Todd Sloan. "I just wanted to let you know how thankful we are for all the hard work you have done. The yard looks amazing! Cannot remember when it looked so good. Thanks for everything!" All consider it a blessing and privilege to serve. Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T)
|
Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|