LCC Disaster Response Is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, This Week to Continue Assessments & Recovery Effort After Devastating August Storm

Your Donations Needed to Help During Long Recovery Efforts

DONATE — DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — DISASTER RESPONSE EQUIPMENT & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

The same derecho that barreled through northern Illinois also struck Cedar Rapids and surrounding towns in Iowa first, with 100 mph winds causing major destruction to homes, businesses, farms and crops. The damage in Cedar Rapids is more severe than what we experienced in Illinois.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, has been discussing a possible Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. chainsaw and heavy equipment deployment with Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild and Daniel Sanchez, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Iowa East District Disaster Response Coordinators and Jason Koepnick, King of Kings Lutheran Church L.E.R.T. Team Leader.

Jason is coordinating all volunteers to over a hundred sites spanning a wide area for the disaster response in Cedar Rapids but has a full time job that he has had to get back to.

LCC Disaster Response has been invited this week to help assess damage and determine what other assistance may still be needed. Much work has been done over the last month by the local and out of state L.E.R.T. teams and other faith-based groups.
 
These groups have now left the Iowa area for the gulf coast to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Jason states there are many sites that still need lift work and even more that need heavy equipment to move cut wood to the street for pick up.
 
The Iowa L.E.R.T. teams have been working hard since the storm but do not have heavy equipment and welcomes any assistance LCC Disaster Response can provide.

The LCMS Iowa East District has shared over 100 requests for assistance and notes with LCC. Kathy and Ed and Jan Boerman have been helping Jason call these homeowners this past weekend to update their status. Kathy and Pete Springmire will be in Cedar Rapids this week to assess sites and determine the volunteer and equipment needs LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers could help with. We will also be evaluating possible lodging and meal arrangements for the deployed teams.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams are continuing to respond and serve with the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response 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.

DONATE — DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — DISASTER RESPONSE EQUIPMENT & FUEL EXPENSE FUND