LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. Volunteers Help Homeowners After Tropical Storm Cristobal

Last week, Tropical Storm Cristobal moved up from the plains and into the Great Lakes Region of Northern Illinois and Indiana. This caused microbursts of 60-80 mph intense wind gusts that resulted in many downed power poles, trees, and limbs in several communities surrounding Lutheran Church Charities.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and our L.E.R.T. volunteers responded immediately to assess the damage and help homeowners in and near their towns while maintaining coronavirus safety precautions. L.E.R.T. volunteers from Immanuel and Prince of Peace Lutheran Churches in Palatine, Illinois, helped an elderly couple remove a downed tree that crashed through their deck. The homeowners felt that the team were “angels sent by God” to provide much-needed assistance at no cost and with such willing hearts of service.

This same team also helped a congregation member remove two trees that had large dangerous limbs, also known as “widowmakers”, hanging from the storm and a third tree left-leaning. Kathy O’Day received a thank you note from the homeowner after the team's work.

“Thank you for being there with the volunteers today. I certainly could not have done that work by myself (and lived). The team worked in sync and it was something to see. Again, our thanks and appreciation.”

LCC thanks the following Immanuel & Prince of Peace, Palatine, Illinois L.E.R.T. volunteers for their hearts to serve: Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard Habegger, Steve MacKay, Jason Stallard, and Dede Thut.

L.E.R.T. volunteers from St. John, Wheaton, Illinois helped one of their congregation members remove a tree that uprooted and fell on their garage during the storm utilizing the LCC boom lift.

LCC thanks the following St. John, Wheaton, Illinois L.E.R.T. volunteers for their hearts to serve: Steve Chester, Byron Heidorn, and Marty Johnson.

The homeowners were very appreciative for all of their hard work, and in addition to their thanks, sent each of the men home with chocolate chip cookies.

Everyone was happy to serve and show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in their congregations and communities affected by this recent storm.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.

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