Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) Chainsaw Training and Service Event Workday at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois

Lutheran Church Charities held a Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) Chainsaw Training and Service Event Workday at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on April 29-30. On Friday evening, the Basic LCMS Chainsaw class was co-led by LCC/LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire.

On Saturday, twenty-six basic and advanced chainsaw certified LCC staff and L.E.R.T. team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush along the camp roads. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare for campers.

The ten first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and cutting trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members.
 
A new chainsaw operator stated, “I never thought I would learn so much about chainsaws and safe operation - and have so much fun with a group of people I had never known before. I definitely want to serve in this way.”

These L.E.R.T. team volunteers came from the following Illinois and Wisconsin churches:
 
Illinois
 
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless
Immanuel, Belvidere – Karyn Salgado
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Michael Brocato, Matt Flynn, Terry and Denise Fuelling, Doug and Kelley Hoyt
Immanuel, Palatine – Chris Johnson
Lord of Life, Elburn – Kevin Krage, Max Metz, Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski
Our Savior, Chicago – James Hampe
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
St. Peter, Rockford – Ken Kiviranta
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Byron Heidorn, Marty Johnson, Jeff Johnston, Anna Piro
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman
Zion, Beecher – Jan Schulz
 
Wisconsin
 
St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann

One of the participants sent the following note of thanks after the training:

“Thank you all for a great time spent with the group at Walcamp. As always, the presentation on Friday was done so well and Saturday's work was very beneficial for the new people. We enjoy the company of such dedicated people and always come away uplifted.”

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that, when invited, we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

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DONATE — LCC DISASTER RESPONSE GENERAL FUND