Join LCC as a Friend in Christ to those in Need in Florida

Deac. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, spent a week in Bonita Springs and Immokalee, Florida where she viewed firsthand hidden areas within these communities that remain devastated from the impacts of Hurricane Irma. Condemned housing with extensive mold and even missing roofs covered in tarps are the current living conditions of many clients that the Amigos Center serves.
 
Working with Pastor Karl Glander, Director of Amigos Center in Immokalee, Pastor Robert Selle, CEO and Founder of Amigos en Christo, and Evelyn Cardenas, Case Manager Amigos Center, Kathy visited residents of these communities to learn more about their struggles, provide financial assistance, and share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Glander, Director of the Amigos Center in Immokalee, Florida welcomes Lutheran Church Charities as we have become Friends in Christ with their mission of serving those suffering and in need with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ. The Amigos Center in Immokalee helps to meet the weekly physical needs of its clients and church members with food and clothing distributions and providing spiritual care. The income earned in the agricultural and construction industry here is below poverty level.

Pastor Karl Glander, Director – Amigos Center, Immokalee, Florida

The Amigos Center is also trying to help those affected by Hurricane Irma, many who have lost their homes and belongings, but they need prayers, volunteers and financial assistance to do this. Please become a friend in Christ to those who are considered the forgotten people living in the “Third World” communities of Bonita Springs and Immokalee.

Pastor Robert Selle, CEO and Founder – Amigos en Christo

Pastor Selle, CEO and Founder of Amigos en Christo, welcomes Lutheran Church Charities as we have become Friends in Christ with their mission of serving those suffering and in need. The Amigos Center in Bonita Springs, Florida provides professional legal aid for immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.

Since Hurricane Irma, Pastor has hired a case manager to provide disaster case management and advocacy for almost 100 Hispanic and Haitian clients and congregation members who have been hard hit in Bonita Springs and Immokalee. In addition, their buildings in both locations sustained damage in the hurricane requiring repairs. They need prayers, volunteers and financial assistance to make a difference in the many lives they touch with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ. Please become a friend in Christ to those who are considered the forgotten people living in the “Third World” communities of Bonita Springs and Immokalee.

Small Communities Devastated in Bonita Springs, Florida

Evelyn, the case manager for the Amigos Center in Bonita Springs, showed Lutheran Church Charities a few small hidden Hispanic communities in Bonita Springs that were hit extremely hard by the recent hurricane. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, met Antonia who shared what it has been like for her family and community since the storm. The people in this area are just as forgotten as the people in Immokalee, Florida. In this one small community, there are 22 homes, but the hurricane destroyed 12 homes totally and damaged the remaining. All of the remaining families are living in their damaged homes and receiving assistance through the Amigos Center case management. LCC was able to provide gift cards to each of the remaining families immediately and will partner with the Amigos Center to provide further assistance.

Preschool Teacher at Hope Lutheran Church Trusts God’s Big Plan for Their Future

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, spent time with Katie Bachman, a preschool teacher at Hope Lutheran Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. Katie’s family home has been condemned by the city of Bonita Springs. After the hurricane, she had several feet of water throughout her home and property for 3 weeks from the Imperial River which runs behind their home. The home is filled with dangerous black mold. It has been a very emotional and trying time as they grieve the loss of their belongings and treasured items. Currently, they are still living in a borrowed camper, but are thankful that they now can live on their own driveway, care for their 21 chickens, and soon monitor progress of the demolition and hopeful rebuilding of a new home. Site preparation and the rebuild will strain their finances greatly. Their faith is strong and they are trusting in God’s big plan to provide for their needs and give them peace in what will be a long recovery process.

LCC is your hands and feet, giving hope to individuals and families who continue to struggle in meeting their greatest needs. The recovery in these areas is long term. Your generous donations are making a difference in the lives of others!
 
Please donate now as a Friend in Christ to continue blessings others in His name!

Donate - Friends in Christ - LCC Disaster Response Fund