Lutheran Church Charities Leads Disaster Response Efforts in California Wildfire Recovery

Last week, Deaconess Kathy O'Day, Director of Disaster Response for Lutheran Church Charities (LCC), deployed to California, part of The Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, to assist Jason Johnson, LCC's California Disaster Crisis Response and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, in planning how local churches can support communities impacted by the recent wildfires.

During their visit, they met with key leaders including Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, District President, Pacific Southwest District; Pastor Chris Schaar from Historic First Lutheran Church in Pasadena; Pastor Lew Upchurch from Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica; and Pastor Tim Klinkenberg from St. John Lutheran Church in Orange.

Historic First Lutheran Church, located at the heart of the Altadena fire zone, is currently supporting 18 families who have lost their homes, along with six more families displaced due to smoke damage. Pastor Schaar is providing temporary housing and financial support to those affected, but he recognizes that this will be a long-term recovery effort requiring ongoing assistance as families work to relocate and rebuild.

As part of the response, Deaconess O'Day and Johnson spent time at the Disaster Recovery Center in Altadena, offering spiritual and emotional care to survivors. Johnson, along with several volunteers trained in Spiritual First Aid, will continue offering care at the Disaster Resource Hub in the Palisades this week. They also met with community leaders who are part of long-term recovery teams focused on rebuilding the affected areas.

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In addition, Deaconess O'Day and Johnson visited Mt. Calvary Lutheran School, where Jr. High Honors Students, led by teacher Joey Siekman, are organizing a fundraiser to deliver LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and care packages to five local fire departments that assisted in fighting the wildfires.

The pastors and community leaders they met with expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing support that Lutheran Church Charities is providing in the wake of this devastating disaster.

As recovery efforts continue, your support is crucial. Consider donating to Lutheran Church Charities Southern California Fire Response fund to help those affected by the wildfires. Together, we can make a lasting impact in rebuilding lives and communities.

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DONATE - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE RESPONSE