LCC Donors Help the Bachman Family Rebuild from Hurricane Irma

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Ed and Jan Boerman, LCC LERT team leaders, met with Katie Bachman, a preschool teacher at Hope Lutheran Church in Bonita Springs, Florida, several times after Hurricane Irma caused major destruction throughout Florida in August 2017. Katie's family home was destroyed by Hurricane Irma flood waters and condemned by the city of Bonita Springs. All of their belongings were lost as well. LCC donations had enabled the Bachman family to begin demolition of their home in the spring of 2018.    

Katie expressed her heartfelt thanks to LCC for continuing to remember them and being there with financial assistance from immediately after the hurricane to now getting back into their home. She was so surprised to receive another check this week which will be used towards completing their home.

Ed and Jan Boerman had the opportunity to visit Katie, Jeremy, and family while in Florida this past week. They found their home has finally been rebuilt, albeit by the Bachman’s as general contractors, to try and save as much money as they could in the process. They are hoping to get occupancy this coming week to be able to begin moving in. They still need to work on a few more projects as they can afford to be able to complete their home and purchase household furniture and items. They are very happy to be able to move out of the small camper they have called home for the past 18 months. Katie stated that even through the devastation, major struggles with insurance and mortgage companies, construction delays, health concerns, and ongoing financial difficulties, their faith has remained strong. They trusted in God's big plan to provide for their needs and give them peace during what has been a long and challenging recovery process.

Katie stated, “I am so looking forward to living in my home again and being able to invite family and friends that have supported us through it all, over with us to celebrate this new beginning. Then to just getting back to normal family life in our home, sleeping in a real bed, cooking meals, sitting with a cup of tea and just enjoying time together with our children and grandchild.”

Although Hurricane Irma was two years ago, the Bachmans, like many families who have been devastated by disaster, are still struggling to recover. Please prayerfully consider helping the Bachman’s complete their home recovery efforts.