LCC Disaster Response LERT Teams Continue to Help Homeowners in Steger, Illinois with Flood Recovery

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was invited by Pastor Craig Meissner of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois to come and assist many of his congregation and community members who were still struggling with the flood recovery of their homes. On June 26 and 27, the towns of Steger, Crete and Chicago Heights in the Northern Illinois District had 6-8 inches of torrential rain fall overnight causing major flooding.

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response spoke with many homeowners to assess the damage. LCC LERT teams completed a second flood recovery workday on Tuesday, August 6.

These LERT team members from the following churches or teams were present:

Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Immanuel, Steger – Pastor Craig Meissner, Paul Sengstock, John Stachulak
St. Peter, Hampshire – Dan & Bobbie Swyndroski

The teams were able to help an elderly and disabled gentleman that had 7 feet of water in his basement. They removed damaged electrical conduit and outlets, wood studs and doors from his basement, as well as power washed all of the concrete walls and floors. He was very appreciative to have his basement cleaned out and the mold gone. Now, he will be able to have his electric repaired, and have the furnace and hot water heater safely replaced.

Kathy O’Day and Paul Sengstock, Immanuel Congregation President, met with a woman who had called to see if she could get any assistance removing damaged items she had managed to pull by herself into the garage. When we arrived, she told us that the garage door spring was broke, and she has been unable to lift the door to remove the items. In meeting with her, Kathy and Paul found out that she had several basic needs that she was struggling with. Kathy was able to give her Walmart gift cards to purchase the necessities, and contacted a garage door repair company.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is going to follow up with her to provide other needed assistance. She shed tears of joy from unexpected blessings. She is a Christian woman and told us that she knew God had heard her prayers and sent angels to help her. She showed us her written prayer request of needs that she wrote that morning. She knew it was a sign that if she trusts in Him - God will provide for her needs. It was a blessing and a privilege to see how LCC’s mission to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need made a difference in her life.

Your donations to the LCC Disaster Response Fund are greatly needed to help LCC LERT teams continue to physically assist homeowners impacted by the floods. Please keep Immanuel Lutheran Church and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery.
 
LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite.

DONATE - LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND