LCC Lutheran Early Response Teams Help Northern Illinois Residents with Damage from Recent Ice Storm

Serving Twenty Families with Chainsaws and Heavy Equipment

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND

On Wednesday, February 22, the Northern Illinois area experienced a freezing rain storm that left a quarter to a half inch of ice on roads, homes, trees, and power lines causing widespread power outages. It also caused a lot of damage and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads.

Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers have responded to many requests for chainsaw assistance in several towns, including Palatine, Inverness, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Campton Hills, Elburn, La Fox, Marengo, Belvidere, and West Dundee.

Currently, we have completed work at twenty homeowner sites, but more requests continue to come in daily, so L.E.R.T. volunteers are continuing to serve this week.

Helping Missionary Serving in Belize

Gary Kessler, GEO Missionary to Belize, contacted LCC Disaster Response from Belize to ask if we would look at the roof of his home here in Northern Illinois that had sustained some damage from large falling limbs in the ice storm.
 
A L.E.R.T. volunteer from St. John-Wheaton went to his home the same day as his request. He was able to remove several limbs from the roof and patch a small hole so there would be no leaking. We sent pictures of the repair and clean-up to Gary upon completion.
 
The following note of thanks was received:
 
Sue and I cannot thank you enough. Being so far from home, you can imagine how this incident was weighing on our minds. As we serve others here, you have served us back home. What beautiful Christian symmetry. Much love to all our friends at LCC.
 
God's richest blessings to you all,
 
Gary and Sue Kessler
GEO Missionary to Belize

---

Assisting Widow with Large Tree Damage

A congregation member and widow from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn received assistance from L.E.R.T. volunteers utilizing chainsaws and heavy equipment. They removed a large limb of a tree that had split and fallen across the front of her home and roof. She was very thankful for the help and compassion shown to her by the team as they worked at her home.

Serving Pastor and His Family with Tree Damage

Pastor Blackford from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn had a large tree in his front yard that had split in half during the ice storm. L.E.R.T. volunteers carefully felled the damaged half that was still standing, and cut and moved all tree debris to the curb. He and his wife were very appreciative of our response to make his yard safe for his children and to protect his home from damage.

Willing Hearts and Hands Help Deaconess with Uprooted Trees

A Deaconess in Belvidere had two uprooted trees and many limbs come down in their backyard during the ice storm. Five L.E.R.T. volunteers cut and stacked all of the wood from these trees into firewood length and put limbs into a burn pile. The hard work completed by willing hearts and hands to serve a sister in Christ was greatly appreciated.

Helping Crystal Lake Neighborhood Hit Hard During Storm

One neighborhood in Crystal Lake had several homes that experienced tree damage. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers were able to help nine homeowners clear downed trees, limbs, and dangerous hangers from their properties. All were grateful for the willingness of these volunteers to serve them on a cold and snowy day.

LCC never goes where we are not invited.
We NEVER charge those we serve!

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE FUND

DONATE — LCC MAINTENANCE & FUEL EXPENSE FUND