Serving Thirty-Three Homeowner Sites with Chainsaws and Heavy Equipment ![]() 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 damaged and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads. Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers have continued to respond to multiple requests for chainsaw assistance in several towns, including Palatine, Inverness, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Campton Hills, Elburn, La Fox, Marengo, Belvidere, McHenry, South Elgin, and West Dundee. Currently, we have completed work at thirty-three homeowner sites, with a few more requests for L.E.R.T. volunteers to complete when the ground can dry so equipment will not sink in the yards. Last week, L.E.R.T. volunteers completed work at several different congregation members’ homes using the lift and/or bobcat. Each homeowner was very appreciative of the assistance and care shown to them. This local ice storm was an opportunity to demonstrate how L.E.R.T. volunteers can serve in our own communities. LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
On Wednesday, March 1, Anna Piro presented an informative program of what the Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) is and does, both locally and out of state to the St. John Wheaton Women’s Afternoon Circle group. Anna belongs to the St. John Wheaton L.E.R.T. team and often deploys as a cook. She also prepared and served a typical meal that is served to deployed L.E.R.T. volunteers. The meal and program were enjoyed by all in attendance. |

There were a total of sixteen in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois:
- Hope, Shorewood
- Immanuel, Palatine
- Lord of Glory, Grayslake
- Prince of Peace, Palatine
- St. John, Wheaton
- St. Peter, Schaumburg
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.

Together, these three churches served 233 families. St. John received donations of money, linens, non-food items, boxes, cleaning products, diapers, and gift cards from local businesses and organizations in the community, along with donations from church members. Families received fresh food and produce, gift cards, a box of non-food items, diapers, and more at the festive event.
It is joyous and organized chaos with many L.E.R.T. and congregation volunteers’ hands and hearts caring for our neighbors. All volunteers are humbled to serve. One participant
We thank the following L.E.R.T. team members for their faithful service:
Good Shepherd, Frankfort: Joe Powless and Curt Murff
St. Paul, Matteson: Dennis Pieper
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 and beautiful places for all those who visit.
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery - Elwood, Illinois
Dayton National Cemetery - Dayton, Ohio
Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery - Union Grove, Wisconsin
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.
Illinois
Cross, Yorkville – Derek and Amy Kowalczyk
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless
Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger
Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Lord of Life, Elburn – John Griffin, Kevin Krage, Max Metz, Bill Pietsch, Larry Zagorski
Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm, Ron Jones, Gary Rucker
St. John, Wheaton – Dave Mummah
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Bob and Barbara Royce, Laurie Trudell, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Villa Park – Jim and Debbie Long
Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin
Trinity, Davenport, Iowa – Ken Stotmeister
St. John, Dillsboro, Indiana – Steve Black
Brookfield, Brookfield, Wisconsin – Laura Ciletti, CJ Kraft, Curt and Kristen Kolell, Cheryl Delair

The following Palatine L.E.R.T. team members willingly served this past week:
Immanuel, Palatine - Steve and Marilyn Kosmella, Steve MacKay
Prince of Peace, Palatine - Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Tod and Kay Kruse
St. Peter, Arlington Heights - Lois Lehman
She was very grateful for their Christian care and help, as it is something she can no longer do for herself.
It truly was a blessing and privilege to serve!
On Saturday, September 17, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wisconsin, hosted a Basic LCMS L.E.R.T. training for new and recertifying team members led by Rev. Nathan Meador, South Wisconsin District Disaster Response Coordinator. There were a total of 20 in attendance that are all now members of the St. Paul Grafton L.E.R.T. team, which partners and deploys with Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. teams on a regular basis. |

There were a total of 14 in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois:
Concordia University Chicago - Church Worker Students
St. John, Wheaton
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.
After the storms that passed yesterday through the Chicagoland suburbs, Lord of Life, La Fox, Illinois, Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteer, Ken Johnston, helped a congregation member cut and remove a large fallen limb from her fence and yard. She was very thankful for his prompt response and care. |
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