LCC Disaster Response Holds Annual L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Training and Service Workday at Walcamp

Lutheran Early Response Team

Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS L.E.R.T. chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, on May 5.

This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders, Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire. 

The hands-on chainsaw training and workday was held at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois on May 6.

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On Saturday, forty-seven basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and L.E.R.T. 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 for campers.

The seventeen 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.
 
A new chainsaw operator stated, “I never thought I would learn so much about chainsaws and safe operation - and enjoy fellowship with a group of people I had never known before. I’m looking forward to serving in this way.”

Illinois
Fellowship of Faith, McHenry – Alan Holm
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Jon Bartelt, Bill Conforti, Carl Fischer, Matt Flynn, Al Navarro
Immanuel, Palatine – Troy Horbach, Kurt Spaletto
Lord of Life, Elburn – Mark Holstein, James Okkema, Eric Poss, Tom Raisanen, Larry Zagorski
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Kurt Spaletto
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Bob and Barb Royce, Laurie Trudell
St. John, Wheaton – Susan Brown, Steve Chester, Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Max Hernandez, Marty Johnson, Jeff Johnston, Julianna Madden, Kathryn Madden, Dave Mummah, Anna Piro, Jonathan Schaeffer, Dave and Martha Schlesselmann, Rich Wren
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kokstecki
Trinity Roselle – Kristin Bilar
Zion, Ottawa – Dave Reif
 
Wisconsin
St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann, Kaye Voss
St. Paul, Janesville - Lark and Terry Sanders