LCC DISASTER RESPONSE DEPLOYMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA COMPLETES 70 SITES

Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) volunteers assessed 104 sites and completed 70 during a three-week deployment in western North Carolina.

Since October 19, LCC LERT crews have totaled 1,956 volunteer hours, rotating in and out for the laborious work of cutting damaged trees, clearing debris, and removing hazards around Asheville, N.C., and Hendersonville, N.C., areas that felt the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s high winds and massive flooding during September and October.

DONATE — LCC HURRICANE SUPPORT FUND

Delivery During the Storm - Hope and Help in Crisis

In the face of Hurricane Helene, Mrs. C found herself in a moment of incredible vulnerability, nine months pregnant and struggling to protect her twin children from the storm's fury. Her world shifted when she went into labor. The birth of her healthy baby boy became a beacon of hope.
 
“She shared how her family’s faith has given them peace, comfort, strength, and hope,” said Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response. “She told us she trusts that God was and will be with them through this entire process. And she thanked God for sending our team to help clean up all her fallen trees to make her yard safe for her kids when they can return.”
 
With LCC volunteers by her side, Mrs. C received practical help to assess her damaged home, clear fallen trees, and pack up her kitchen as they prepared to move out for repairs.

Her words, filled with gratitude and trust in God, remind us that even in the darkest times, there is light through the love and support of those around us. Together, we can turn despair into hope and rebuild lives.
 
“It was a blessing to listen to her story and witness her faith,” O’Day said.

Appreciation for "All the Servant Hearts"

Pastor Jonathan Christensen of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Hendersonville expressed thanks and praise for all the servant hearts that have so willingly worked and blessed residents in the community and surrounding areas. “We have sincerely appreciated all the hospitality shown and meals prepared for us by this congregation," said Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, who led the deployment with Jamie Miller, LCC Disaster Response Equipment Manager.
 
To share the LCC volunteers’ appreciation, Matt Flynn, Team Leader of the Immanuel Dundee, IL, crew presented Pastor Christensen with a plaque created to thank the congregation for the ongoing support.

Pastor Eric Hollar of Bethel Lutheran Claremont, N.C., and Interim Director of Shepherd’s Heart Ministry, a disaster response non-profit, posted a message last week on LCC Disaster Response’s Facebook page. He shared, “I have been able to focus more on my pastoral duties at my congregation, due in LARGE part to the ‘partnership in the Gospel’ with LCC. We are so appreciative of their support in the response in Hendersonville.” The message was a reminder that Lutheran Church Charities welcomes opportunities to partner with churches and Recognized Service Organizations (RSO) in sharing the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need

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LCC Thank-Yous

Lutheran Church Charities and Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Hendersonville extend a huge thanks to Kelli Francis from Fuel Relief Fund and Jim Norton from Suncoast Fuel for their generous donation of 500 gallons of diesel to use during LCC Disaster Response’s deployment. “What a savings and blessing it was and continues to be in keeping equipment and trucks full for serving those in need,” O’Day said.

LCC Disaster Response gives special appreciation to Lutheran Servants for Christ which loaned its tractor to LCC LERT volunteers last week.

Lutheran Church Charities also thanks the following LERT volunteers and their churches from multiple LCMS districts for serving together with LCC Disaster Response during the three-week deployment:

Northern Illinois District
Christ Our Savior, Dixon – Joy Holden
Christ the Rock, Rockford – Matt & Carol Robert
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless
Heartland, Normal – Tony Buchberger
Immanuel, Crystal Lake – Jeff Dykstra
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete & Christel Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Bill Conforti, Matt Flynn, Terry & Denise Fuelling, Al Navarro
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn – Terry & Mary Kramer, Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, Marty Starck,
Dave Schlesselman, Rich Wren
St. John, Union – Laurie Mathisen, Rick Miller, Nick Miletta
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Schwartz, Ken Scott
Trinity, Roselle – Kristin Bilar
Zion, Ottawa – Dave & Cindy Reif
 
Indiana District
St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black
Christ, Valparaiso – Milan Coburn

Iowa District
Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
 
Missouri District
New Beginnings, Pacific – Glenn Stellhorn
 
South Wisconsin District
Brookfield Lutheran, Brookfield – Laura Ciletti
Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls – Roger Kautz
St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Bev Brueggemann, Stu Natale, Kaye Voss

Southeastern District
Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Pastor Jonathan Christiansen, David Maloney, David and Wendy White

“We leave behind new friends, memories, hope, and prayers for our brothers and sisters in Christ as they continue their recovery process,” O’Day said. “It has truly been a blessing to serve!”
 
READ MORE stories of homeowners who have been helped by LCC LERT teams on the LCC HURRICANE RESPONSE page.

DONATE — LCC HURRICANE SUPPORT FUND