LCC LERT VOLUNTEERS RETURN TO NORTH CAROLINA TO CONTINUE HURRICANE HELENE RECOVERY EFFORTS

In September 2024, North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.
 
Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) volunteers assessed 104 sites and completed 70 sites during a three-week deployment in western North Carolina in September and October 2024.

TREES CLEARED, HOPE RESTORED

They were invited to return to cut and remove fallen and leaning trees from homeowners' properties, as many of these hard-hit communities are still devastated and have just become accessible. Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, has been in North Carolina since last week assessing damage in Hendersonville, Asheville, N.C., and surrounding areas.

This week, Deaconess O’Day, Jamie Miller, LCC Disaster Response Equipment Manager, and 23 Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers returned to serve out of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville with Pastor Jonathan Christensen. They will also be working with Pastor Jeffrey Skopak from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville.

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Family Thrives After Tree Removal

This week, our dedicated teams made a significant difference for a family, with two homes on a large, wooded lot. They faced the daunting task of dealing with at least 25 fallen and dangerously leaning trees that posed a threat to their safety and well-being.
 
The family, which includes a mother and grandmother now housing her daughter and her children after their home was completely destroyed, expressed immense gratitude as we cleared their property of these hazards.
 
Their relief was palpable as they envisioned their children playing safely outside again, bringing hope and healing back to their lives.

LERT Volunteers Assist Grateful Homeowners

Another team assisted Mr. and Mrs. G. whose home suffered severe structural damage from fallen trees. The couple is not able to live in their home and will not be able to return for at least a year, but they wanted the damaged trees remaining to be cut and removed so they wouldn’t need to worry about further damage occurring.
 
Their steeply sloped and densely wooded backyard presented a challenging landscape for cleanup. However, the dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to clear the yard, removing the dangerous debris and stacking the wood for collection.
 
Mr. and Mrs. G expressed heartfelt gratitude for the compassion and effort shown by the LERT volunteers, which not only alleviated their immediate concerns but also provided a sense of hope during a difficult time.

LERT Volunteers Bring Safety to Home and Property of 90-year-old Neighbor

Our LERT volunteers helped another family who asked for help to ensure the safety of Mr. B, a 90-year-old neighbor whose home was threatened by leaning trees.
 
With unwavering dedication, the LERT volunteers harnessed themselves to sturdy trees and bravely rappelled down the steep terrain to remove the dangerous obstacles blocking his driveway. Their selfless actions not only protected Mr. B's access to his home but also filled him with joy and gratitude as he witnessed the lengths our volunteers went to, all while wearing smiles.
 
His heartfelt words of "certainly feeling blessed" remind us of the profound impact we can have on each other’s lives.

Continued Care for Families in Need

Three LERT women volunteers met with a homeowner and her family down the road from Mr. B’s. As they listened to the homeowner's harrowing story of how the fierce waters swept her home off its foundation, they offered not just material assistance through gift cards but also the invaluable gift of prayer and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
 
Despite their dire circumstances of living in tents and a mobile home with burst pipes, the family felt a renewed sense of connection and support, knowing that they are not alone in their struggle. Pastor Christiansen has been informed to ensure continued follow-up, fostering an ongoing relationship of care and community.

The commitment of LERT volunteers to follow up with families in distress highlights the importance of ongoing support and connection. By ensuring that families like the ones we served this week receive continued care, LCC reinforces its mission to provide not just immediate relief, but also a lasting presence of hope and faith.

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