LCC Disaster Response Continues Serving Residents after Tornadoes and Storms Hit the Towns of Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove, Illinois

96 Homeowner Assessments Completed
70 Total Properties Scheduled – 39 Completed

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

On Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in Woodridge, Naperville, and Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. At least 350 homes were damaged, 48 are reported as uninhabitable.

Lutheran Church Charities continues to serve the hard-hit communities of Woodridge, Naperville, and Downers Grove. As of today, we have met with 96 homeowners to assess their property damage. We have identified 70 total sites that we can assist with. To do this more effectively, LCC has invited Pastor Ed Brashier, LCMS Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, and Shepherds Heart Ministry Director, to assist our teams with his 65’ boom lift and mini-bobcat. This will allow us to help more homeowners daily with chainsaw lift work to broken and damaged trees. Different Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. team members volunteer daily and have completed 39 sites. We will continue to serve in our district until we are done with all of the requests.

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A Young Family Sees Jesus Helping Them

We helped a young family from St. John Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, with removing a dangerous hanger over their driveway and felling a large broken tree near their home and deck utilizing the boom lift and rigging techniques.
 
This family was very appreciative of the assistance, but more importantly, they wanted their children, ages 3 and 7, to understand that it was the church coming to help them in their time of need.
 
The parents took time to explain to them how everyone working to take down their trees and make their home safe was doing what Jesus wanted them to do in serving others. When the team was done, and we presented the slice of tree with a cross in it, they told the boys, “Always remember this day, the day Jesus sent people from His church to help us.”

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Helping a Single Woman Restore Her Property & Hope

Our team served a single woman with two acres of many downed and damaged trees surrounding her home and blocking her long driveway. She felt so overwhelmed, not knowing how she could ever possibly cut and remove all of the trees that were damaged. Having a large chainsaw team descend on her property for a full day of hard work restored her hope and property.

This week, both Al Stonitsch, Village Administrator, and Mayor Gina Cunningham of Woodridge called Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, to express their thanks and deep appreciation of the dedication of the Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T teams for our chainsaw work and service in their community.
 
Mayor Cunningham stated, “Please pass along my personal thanks to your team of amazing volunteers who are the kindest and most wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I am so pleased with all of the good work and how you are extending your kindness and care throughout the community.”

Pictured: Kathy O’Day, Mayor Gina Cunningham, State Senator John Curran, and Tim Hetzner

Mr. Stonitsch is very grateful that our teams are willing to respond to their referrals of residents that are in need of assistance.
 
LCC received the following thank you note from an elderly couple served by the LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams:

Dear Friends,
 
Your organization is amazing. Even though it is very large, your personal communication and attention come through loud and clear. One of your teams, actually two different ones, helped us after the Naperville tornado. The men were so professional and knowledgeable about taking down two of our large trees and also advising us to leave two other trees alone to see if they come back. We understand they are volunteers, and it is so heartwarming to see their dedication and their hard work. We want to thank them so much. They even cut a slice of a tree and signed it as a memento. We will never forget this wonderful experience in a difficult time.
 
Thank you all very much!
Wayne & Jan

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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.

Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process.
 
Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need.

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND