LCC LERT Teams, LCC K-9 Ministry Teams, and Your Donations Bring Hope to Those Impacted by Hurricane Michael in Florida

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and thirty LERT Chainsaw team members arrived in Panama City, Florida on Saturday, November 10, to work out of Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul McComack and Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Coordinator. They were able to complete chainsaw work, roof tarping and debris removal at 29 sites, which included homes and churches in Panama City, Mexico Beach, and Southport, Florida. 

CLICK HERE to watch a video from Pastor Paul McComack, Trinity Lutheran – Panama City, Florida, and Dave Schlesselman, LERT Volunteer – Wheaton, Illinois, about the impact your donations and the LERT teams are making in this community.

On Wednesday, November 14, the LERT team volunteers also unloaded the semi-truck from the Northern Illinois District that was filled with food and other critical supplies that were donated to help the 6,000 individuals each week that Trinity is serving. Kathy Roberts, Trinity’s Distribution Center Coordinator, could not believe everything that was donated to them. She kept exclaiming with joy as a new pallet of goods was unloaded, “This is like opening a surprise Christmas gift! All of our requests and needs are being fulfilled. The people here that need this will be so blessed and grateful to receive these items.”

Trinity Lutheran is helping their community by providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support. They are also housing the many teams who are coming in from all over the country to assist in recovery. Much assistance will be needed for a long time.

Almost every home and business has been affected in some way in Panama City, Mexico Beach, and surrounding communities. The destruction is widespread. Many families are living in damaged homes or tents in their yards because of limited other housing options. There are very few businesses open, so getting food, gas, clothing, and other desperately needed items is a challenge without traveling a distance. Everyone is managing the best they can in a difficult and trying situation.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams were also in Panama City offering comfort throughout the communities affected by Hurricane Michael. While there, they were invited to visit Girls, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold. What a wonderful organization. We were blessed to be able to love on these young girls.

Please pray for Trinity – Panama City as they continue to open their doors and hearts to the individuals they serve in the surrounding communities devastated by Hurricane Michael.

Donate - Hurricane Michael Disaster Response Fund

Donate - LCC Disaster Response Fund