Ruidoso to Remember Fires, Floods—While Celebrating Resilience

Lutheran Church Charities Returns One Year Later to Stand with the Community

One year after the devastating South Fork Fire and flash floods that swept through Ruidoso, New Mexico, destroying over 1,400 homes and businesses, the community is preparing to gather in remembrance—and in strength.

As part of this special remembrance, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) will return to Ruidoso to stand in solidarity with a community they first served in 2024, reaffirming their commitment to long-term care, healing, and hope. LCC is honored to participate in the event with LCC Community Care Event.

"South Fork 2024 — United by Loss, Defined by Grit”
Tuesday, June 17 | 5:30–8:00 p.m. | Winfield Park, 300 Center St., Ruidoso, NM

This community-led remembrance event is a time to:

1. Lament the losses of homes, land, and livelihood
2. Honor the courageous efforts of neighbors helping neighbors
3. Celebrate resilience, unity, and the journey toward healing
   
   

Lutheran Church Charities will participate in the event, bringing all four of its core ministries:

1. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry with Comfort Dogs Elijah  (Our Redeemer - Wichita Falls, Texas) and Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma)
   
2. Disaster Response
3. Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
4. Human Care

LCC Care Teams will be on-site to offer emotional and spiritual support as the community reflects on its past and looks ahead with hope.

A Year Ago: LCC’s Immediate Response
In the aftermath of the disaster, LCC deployed teams to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, offering both practical assistance and emotional support. Their response included:

1. Chainsaw relief operations, removing fallen and hazardous trees from properties
   
2. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training, helping local volunteers learn safe and effective disaster response techniques
3. Spiritual and emotional care, providing comfort rooted in the hope of Christ
   
   

That initial deployment was followed by a second, six-day mission in October, where LCC expanded their support with advanced training, additional fieldwork, and the introduction of Spiritual First Aid™, a biblically grounded model for addressing trauma and grief.

“Pastor Jason Rust of Shepherd of the Hills reached out and said, ‘We want to help our neighbors—but we don’t know how,’” recalled Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President and CEO. “We came to stand with them, train them, and remind them that healing is possible through Christ. And now, we return to remind them they are not forgotten.”

You Can Help Us Keep Showing UpL
CC’s mission is long-term. Our return to Ruidoso is just one example of how we continue to support communities long after headlines fade.

Donate today to help LCC bring ongoing relief, care, and Christ-centered hope to those still rebuilding.
Because remembering means returning—and healing happens when we walk together.

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DONATE - LCC Disaster Relief