LCC CARE TEAMS, K-9 COMFORT DOGS DELIVER HOPE IN HURTING CALIFORNIA

Lutheran Church Charities has been deeply engaged in bringing hope and compassion to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles. Over the weekend and into the first half of the week, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer led two Community Care Events hosted at First Lutheran Church in Venice and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. These gatherings provided a safe space for individuals to share their stories, receive prayer, and experience the hope found in Christ.

Joining Rev. Singer were six LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs from three states offering love, compassion, and a calming presence:

Genesis (Good Shepherd Turlock - CA),
Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, WA),
Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, NV),
Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, CA),
Rahab (St. Andrews Stockton - CA)
Salome (Faith Community - Las Vegas, NV)

Additionally, Rev. Singer and his wife Jeanette Singer, a licensed psychotherapist, led two Spiritual First Aid™ Rapid Training workshops — at First Lutheran Church in Venice, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange. Two more were offered at the Irvine headquarters of the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

These trainings help attendees understand the effects of trauma during a crisis and equip them with biblically based tools to care for others.

"What an inspiration it was to to see so many believers who gathered and gave of their time to learn how they could be more effective at ministering with the comfort and care of Jesus," Rev. Singer said.

 "Comfort, comfort My people," says your God. (Isaiah 40:1)

All six LCC Comfort Dog teams stopped by Los Angeles Fire Station #110 in Marina Del Rey, CA, just south of Santa Monica, to uplift firefighters logging long hours day after day. They delivered a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and greeted members of the station house on the driveway with pets and wagging tails.
 
The teams also visited the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates LA’s emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts.
 
The teams presented another HMC to thank workers who face stress-filled days at the city’s crisis nerve center. The dogs’ calming presence brought smiles and a chance to catch their breath.

Across town, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers made an unscheduled appearance at the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day for residents to get to know one another better. The celebratory event went on as a means of strengthening acquaintances and getting a breather from the stress.
 
Yesterday the Comfort Dog teams visited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to encourage staff members working to limit insurance fraud, as well as Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA, to bring joy to service members and their families.
 
The deployment continues through the remainder of this week with visits to Flintridge Prep School, which is resuming classes today, and a pair of outings to the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner.

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To provide care and assistance for the crisis response, LCC needs help from faithful, generous donors and volunteers like YOU who are willing to support and serve.
 
Help us continue to BE THERE to bring HOPE FOR THE HURTING with your financial gift to Southern California Fire Response fund.
 
“The support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in Southern California affected by the fires,” Rev. Singer said.

HELP LCC BRING HOPE FOR THE HURTING—SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE RESPONSE