The Disaster Response volunteers have been on the ground in Spring, Texas, and Tomball, Texas, cutting trees and limbs and clearing debris from 15 homes — with at least 26 more families lined up for assistance in the next two to three weeks, said Deaconess Suzanne Fingerle of Trinity Klein Lutheran.

Last week, LCC Human Care organized a resupply of Trinity Klein Lutheran's food pantry, which ran out of goods and groceries after a surge in need. "Orphan Grain Train and other distributors have stood up to help fill the shelves for the church and community, and we are so thankful for their donations of food and supplies," said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry. 

Currently, Trinity Klein Lutheran is serving 150 families (or roughly 1,000 people) per day — a 50 percent increase from normal demand, said Lauren McCardell, director of the food pantry.

"We know families are beginning the long process of cleanup. In some cases, they are rebuilding their lives," LCC’s Snider said. "At such an important moment for them, we stand ready to offer emergency assistance, tangible goods, and most importantly, the comfort and hope found only in Jesus Christ.”

The cleanup and recovery work started after Dan Reimer, interim executive director at Trinity Klein Lutheran asked LCC to provide assistance to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and families around the Houston metro area. LCC is able to provide this assistance because generous donors and volunteers are willing to serve and give.

But additional assistance to provide food, logistics, and home-to-home support and care is still strongly needed, Singer emphasized. "Any financial support you can offer will go directly to helping families in the Houston area," Singer said.

Thanks to donors like you, LCC will continue to BE THERE to provide mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling and in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. Your faithful prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people affected by Beryl and those responding with help.

On Sunday night, the Northern Illinois District (NID) was hit by two EF-0 tornadoes and severe storms with high winds. On Monday evening, the NID was then hit by a derecho producing 70-100 mph winds and at least 29 spin-up tornadoes throughout the entire northern Illinois region. The derecho traveled 394 miles and at times was 60 miles wide across eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and northwest Indiana. All of this has caused widespread power outages, uprooted and damaged trees and limbs, as well as some structural damage to homes and businesses in many towns.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Last week, Lutheran Church Charities deployed five Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw and heavy equipment volunteers to Rogers, Arkansas, at the invitation of Jan Simko, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Mid-South District Disaster Coordinator.

The LCC LERT team served out of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, using skid steers and the new LCC boom lift that was given to LCC Disaster Response by a generous donor. The team removed widow-makers (hazardous hanging branches caught high in the treetops), and dangerous trees and limbs left after an EF-3 tornado that struck the town six weeks ago.

Lutheran Church Charities and the Mid-South District extend their thanks to the following LERT volunteers:

ILLINOIS
Lord of Life, Elburn – Larry Zagorski
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Rich Wren
St. John’s, Wilmette – Tom Morrison

The LERT volunteers worked at a congregation member’s home that had multiple large dangerous limbs hanging over their roof, fence, and driveway. They had to coordinate the removal of these limbs using rigging techniques, the boom lift, and sawyers on the roof.

The family is very thankful for the team’s expertise in safely and efficiently removing all of the limbs without damaging their home. They are feeling safer now and can stop worrying that the next storm could cause further damage. All of the LERT volunteers are glad they could make a difference for several families and share the mercy, compassion, and presence of Christ with them.

We only go where we are invited and we never charge those we serve. We thank our generous donors and appreciate your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Monday, the team worked at Mrs. K's home, a disabled congregation member who runs the church's food pantry. She is also a caregiver to a disabled adult son. The team removed several damaged trees with hanging limbs that required the use of a lift for safe removal. One of the LERT volunteers climbed one of the trees to remove limbs as well. They also cleared overgrown bushes and trees from around her home, making her property more accessible. Mrs. K was thankful for the care shown and the work done for her to make her home safe.

We only go where we are invited and we never charge those we serve. We thank our generous donors and appreciate your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response (DR) was invited by Rev. Dr. Paul Naumann at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan, to provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment following the devastating tornado that swept through Portage and Kalamazoo on May 7 causing widespread destruction.

LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O’Day and DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, have deployed for the last three weeks with 31 LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers to assist residents affected by this tornado. They were able to complete work at 31 homes, with half of these being multi-day sites due to the amount of trees down or damaged on their properties. The teams utilized a boom lift, three skid steers, and rigging skills to safely and efficiently remove these trees.

Adam Herringa; Chief Operating Officer of the Town of Portage (pictured with Kathy O'Day), Erik Wilson, Superintendent of Texas Township; and Joanne McFarland, President of Colony Woods Subdivision of Kalamazoo, expressed their sincere appreciation to Kathy O’Day and the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers for serving in their communities and the willingness to assist homeowners they referred to the LERT team daily.

They reported that 93 homes have been left uninhabitable and another 248 with major to minor damage. Many businesses also were affected. They do not anticipate receiving a FEMA declaration, so they have been relying heavily on community and outside groups' assistance, like LCC Disaster Response.

LERT volunteers completed a very technical job using the lift and their advanced training and experience to remove a very tall and dangerous leaning tree next to their home. The homeowners were so pleased with the professionalism during its removal, and now they can “breathe a sigh of relief” that their home is safe.

They also were amazed that we would remove all the other downed trees from their yard. They showed the team an estimate they received for $50,000 to do all the work that the LERT volunteers did at no charge. They thanked each volunteer and told them what a blessing we have been to them.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response thanks the following LCC LERT volunteers for their willingness to serve during all or part of the three-week deployment in Michigan. Many of these volunteers also served in Nebraska just before continuing their service in Michigan.

ILLINOIS
Immanuel, Batavia – Bill Pietsch
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn, Terry Fuelling
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn – Kevin Krage, Max Metz, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley
St. John, Wheaton – Byron Heidorn, Marty Johnson, Anna Piro, Rich Wren
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed and Jan Boerman
Zion, Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif

INDIANA
Christ, Valparaiso – Milan Coburn
St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod

WISCONSIN
Brookfield, Brookfield – Laura Ciletti, Roger Kautz
St. Paul, Grafton – Stu Natale

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response also thanks Pastor Naumann, Tammy Songer, and the congregation members from St. Michael’s and Zion Lutheran Churches for their hospitality, meals, and volunteers who served with the LERT team. It truly has been a blessing and privilege to serve in the Name of the Lord while representing your church in this community.

We thank our generous donors and appreciate your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response (DR) was invited by Rev. Dr. Paul Naumann at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan, to provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment following devastating tornadoes that swept through. Portage and Kalamazoo on May 7 causing widespread destruction.
 
On Sunday, May 19, LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O’Day and DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, along with 18 LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers, began a two-week deployment to assist residents affected by this tornado.
 
Town officials from Portage and Kalamazoo expressed their appreciation to the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers for serving in their communities and continue to refer homeowners to the LERT team for assistance daily.

During the first week of deployment, LCC LERT volunteers completed 14 work sites, with three of these being two- and three-day jobs, due to the extent of the tree damage on their property.
 
One of these homeowners with so much damage was a widow, Mrs. R., who had multiple trees down around her home, with several leaning on her roof. When we met her, she was distraught, in tears, and frustrated with her insurance company who was not returning her calls after assessing the damage.
 
After the team arrived and began clearing her many trees, she had tears of joy and sincere gratitude for the hard work and Christ-like care shown to her. She told us she felt it was the “first time she could truly smile and have hope for recovery since the tornado.” She was also very touched by the cross and homemade quilt given to her and told us she would treasure them.

The destruction and trauma experienced by many residents is widespread, but the spirit of community and faith has provided much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process. It has been a blessing to listen to the survivors' stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we served those in need.
 
Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. We appreciate your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response (DR) has been invited by Rev. Dr. Paul Naumann at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan to provide chainsaw assistance and debris removal with heavy equipment. The towns of Portage and Kalamazoo experienced an EF-2 tornado with 135 mph winds on May 7 causing widespread destruction. It was on the ground for 11 miles and 300 yards wide, beginning one block south of the church.
 
On Sunday, May 19, LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O’Day and DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, along with eighteen LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers, began a two-week deployment to assist residents affected by this tornado. This deployment is occurring only six days after LCC LERT volunteers returned from a two-week deployment to Nebraska, also for tornado response work.

LCC LERT draggers, chainsaw, and heavy equipment operators spent the last two days working at the home of a St. Michael’s congregation member who had approximately 30 trees downed and several more damaged on his property surrounding his home, as well as debris from his neighbors home which took a direct hit and was destroyed. He did not know how he would even begin to take care of the damage but is now feeling blessed to have a “church family” so willing to help him until it is cleared. 

Mr. R. had several of his and three of his neighbor's trees all leaning and hung up in one of his trees. He and his neighbors had no idea how all of these could be taken down safely and at what cost. They were pleased with the work this LCC lift team has been doing for the past two days and the professionalism shown with their rigging techniques and lift placement to safely and efficiently remove so many of these dangerous leaning and hung trees and limbs.

St. Michael has been very welcoming to the LCC disaster response team and is willing to serve their neighbors. Please pray for all those affected and the team deployed to bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need!

On April 26, nineteen EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes tore through Nebraska leaving a trail of destruction in many communities. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response had been asked by Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, to provide chainsaw and debris removal assistance with heavy equipment in communities around Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska, with Mick Onnen, Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator.
 
The Northern Illinois District volunteer deployment to Nebraska has ended. We were able to serve 32 homeowners with chainsaws, lifts, and heavy equipment, as well as give some blessing buckets and gift cards from local churches. Deaconess Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response (DR), and LCC DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, along with 27 Northern Illinois District Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers, served from April 29 through May 10 with volunteers from several other districts.

Mr. and Mrs. H. rode out the storm in their home and found themselves facing significant damage to their property. The sound of their roof being torn off and trees snapping filled their home with fear and uncertainty. Their barn, crucial for their livelihood as they raised pigs and chickens, was completely destroyed in a matter of seconds.
 
Feeling overwhelmed by the devastation and unsure of how to begin the cleanup process, they were grateful for the support of their fellow Lutherans who came to their aid. They not only received practical help in cleaning up the debris but also experienced the comforting presence of Christ's love within their community.

One of LCC's final work sites was at the home and ranch of Mr. and Mrs. McG. Despite minimal damage to their home, the devastation to their horse stables and barn, along with the multiple downed trees on their property, left them feeling overwhelmed.
 
However, the team's swift and efficient work in making their property safe brought them a newfound sense of hope and relief.
 
Mrs. McG. stated, “All week we have felt overwhelmed and at a loss, but in one day, you have given us hope and lifted our burden.” She gave the team several hugs and thanks for assisting and caring for them during their time of need.

Mr. and Mrs. G. lost their home and had their wooded property severely damaged by the tornado.
 
Despite the loss and damage they faced, Mrs. G. took the time to express her sincere gratitude in a thank you note sent to us for the assistance they received, and the mercy and compassion shown to them.
 
“Thank you so much for coming and serving! We could not feel more uplifted and cared for during this whole ordeal. It was truly an honor to meet you and your team. We came home last night and we will head back for Mother’s Day weekend to get more things arranged. Take care! We are truly thankful for people like you!”

Mick Onnen, the Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator, sent a message of gratitude expressing his thanks to all those who served and supported the disaster response efforts in the district.

Lutheran Church Charities thanks the following LERT volunteers for their willingness to serve:

Illinois
Alleluia, Naperville - Ann Quigley, Rachel Rogers
Good Shepherd, Elgin - David Vollrath
Immanuel, DeKalb - Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee - Carl Fischer, Matt Flynn, Terry and Denise Fuelling, Doug and Kelley Hoyt,
Al Navarro
Immanuel, Shobonier - Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn - Mark Holstein, Kevin Krage, Terry and Mary Kramer, Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine - Jim Beckley
St. John, Wheaton - Marty Johnson

Wisconsin
 St. Paul's, Janesville - Lark Sanders
 Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls - Roger Kautz
 St. Paul, Grafton - Mark and Beverly Brueggemann

The destruction and trauma experienced by many residents is widespread, but the spirit of community and faith has provided much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process.

It has been a blessing to listen to the survivors' stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we served those in need.
 
Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

he destruction and trauma experienced by many residents are widespread, but the spirit of community and faith is providing much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process. It is a blessing to listen to their stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we serve those in need.

Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist.

Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS LERT chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 3. This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders Marty Johnson and Ed Boerman.

On Saturday, May 4, thirty basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and LERT team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush from the camp. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director, expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare the property for campers.

The eighteen first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and bucking trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members.

LERT chainsaw volunteers from the following Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina churches were in attendance:

Illinois
Christ the Rock, Rockford
Good Shepherd, Frankfurt
Heartland, Normal
Immanuel, Batavia
Immanuel, Belvidere
Lord of Life, Elburn
Prince of Peace, Palatine
St. John's, Union
St. John, Wheaton
St. Paul, Rockford
Trinity, Lisle
Trinity, Roselle

Indiana
Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso

North Carolina
Eternal Shepherd, Seneca