LCC Responds to Communities Devastated by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma during Long Road to Recovery

LCC hosts daily LERT phone calls with LCMS District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRC) in Texas and Florida and NID LERT members to coordinate volunteer and work site assignments for groups and individuals wishing to provide relief efforts to those with the greatest recovery needs.

Texas Update

LCC is working closely with Rev. Steven Misch, Texas District Disaster Response Director (DDRD), Julie Tucker, Volunteer Relief Coordinator, and Dr. Lou Jander, retired Texas District DDRC from CrownPoint Ministries and Lutheran RV’ers, to direct volunteer efforts. Corpus Christi and Rockport areas need mostly chainsaw work. Other areas need muck and gut assistance.

124 LCMS congregations in the Texas District have been impacted and will be involved in long term recovery. Texas Disaster Response is divided into 3 areas:

Houston, Salem & Tomball - Many communities have begun recovery efforts. There is a very large community in Houston still under water and will stay that way for several more weeks.

Coastal - Corpus Christi & Rockport - Rev. Ed Brashier is working out of Peace Lutheran - Rockport. Lodging is available at the church. Chainsaw volunteers are needed for this area for some time.

Beaumont / Port Arthur Golden Triangle - Water has recently receded and volunteers are needed to do muck and gut in this area.

Dr. Jander reported that major flooding in the Golden Triangle consisting of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, Texas has finally receded and can be accessed. It is estimated that 6,000 homes in this area have been affected. LCC is working with Dr. Jander, who has made arrangements with St. John Lutheran Church in Beaumont, for volunteers with RV’s to stay at this church.

You MUST complete the TEXAS DISTRICT REGISTRATION form for each volunteer. This will immediately follow once you submit the LCC registration form. You will be contacted directly from the Texas District with confirmation and location of an assigned site. Do not leave for Texas until you receive confirmation from the Texas District.

Rev. Steven Misch asks for patience from out-of-state volunteers, as they are trying to process volunteer applications coming from the LCMS, multiple districts, other individuals and churches. They are managing about 125 local and 160 out-of-state volunteers on a daily basis, matching to available sites to work on. This recovery will be LONG-TERM and they will be in need for volunteers for a LONG time.

Register to Volunteer

LCC is working closely with the following LCMS churches
to provide assistance to people within their communities:

Memorial Lutheran – Katy, Texas
Pilgrim Lutheran – Houston, Texas
Trinity Klein Lutheran – Spring, Texas
Salem Lutheran – Tomball, Texas
Peace Lutheran – Rockport, Texas
St. John Lutheran – Beaumont, Texas

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Memorial Lutheran – Katy, Texas
Rev. John Davis, Senior Pastor

Because of your support, LCC Disaster Response was able to help the Katy community that has been devastated with flooding due to Hurricane Harvey with $20,000 plus to help families to get back into their homes. Thank you for being Jesus to those who are in need. Memorial is committed to continue to serve their community as long as there is a need. This is the church where the Pastor and Director of Education (DCE) lost their homes as well as other staff.

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Donate - Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund

Florida Update

In Florida, LCC is working closely with John Elliot, the FL/GA DDRC, and Kathy and Joel Matthews, Florida DDRC’s, as they begin their recovery assistance anticipated to take several months. They report that over 1 million people still do not have power in their homes, with needs greater throughout Florida than those who can respond. They are working through Zion Lutheran – Ft. Meyers, Florida and Faith Lutheran – Naples, Florida. The majority of needs are chainsaw and debris removal. Some communities need muck and gut assistance. Jacksonville has major flooding as rivers are still rising.

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Ed and Jan Boerman, LERT team leaders (Trinity - Lisle, Illinois), are now working with Kathy and Joel Matthews to reach out to hard hit areas in Ft. Meyers, Naples, Labelle and Immokalee. They are working through their church, Hope Lutheran - Bonita Springs, to provide assistance within the surrounding communities. NID LERT teams and individuals are needed to assist with massive tree removal as a result of the hurricane. NID LERT teams have already been deployed and began arriving on September 18th and are currently scheduled through October 21st but the need is great. LCC will be coordinating volunteers who are wishing to help with relief efforts in Florida for as long as needed.

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Register to Volunteer

Donate - Irma Disaster Relief Fund

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Haiti Relief Help

Haiti for the most part avoided the brunt of Hurricane Irma. Laurent Lophane, our partner on the ground, reported however that people lost their crops which could not withstand the winds. Assistance has been requested to buy seeds for struggling farmers and families to replant crops that were lost due to the storm. For some, farms where completely destroyed, leaving farmers with no source of income to feed or take care of their family.

Miami Herald Story

Donate - Haiti Seed Fund

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Financial Assistance Update

LCC continues to put financial assistance in the hands of people directly impacted by the hurricanes. Dollar In – Dollar Out, 100% of your donations go to the individuals affected to help them with immediate needs.

The following thank you was received from Dr. William Hinz, Director of School Ministry for the Texas District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod:

Our Lutheran schools want to thank you and your generous donors again for the love and care and financial support you have given to us.

Dr. Bill Hinz