Together We Continue to Make A Difference

LCC Director of Disaster Response in Florida to Partner with the Amigos Center

Deac. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Mike Kinyon arrived in Florida on Monday, October 30, and immediately met with Pastor Karl Glander, Director of Amigos Center in Immokalee. He took them on a tour of hard hit areas his members live in. One particular area had many Haitian residents still living in a 16 unit apartment building that lost its roof and has only a blue tarp for protection. All of these units have extensive mold and should not be lived in, but they were repeatedly told, “There is nowhere else to go in Immokalee to rent. So we have to stay here.” The residents wanted to show Pastor Glander their homes and allowed LCC to take pictures, hoping that we can get some help for them.

One resident shared that she scrubs her walls every day to keep her home as clean as she can. A few weeks ago, Jan Boerman from Trinity – Lisle, Illinois and Pastor convinced most of these residents to get rid of their water soaked mattresses and bought all of them air mattresses. Hopefully the roof will be replaced soon and then LCC will partner with Amigos Center to replace beds and household items that were ruined.

Donate - Hurricane Irma Disaster Relief Fund

Vicar David Blas Shares How Your Donations Are Helping Puerto Rico

Joshua Gale, LCC Executive Director, interviews Vicar David Blas upon his return from Puerto Rico. Vicar Blas took with him generous donations from LCC donors to be distributed immediately to individuals with the greatest need. Hear how many people are still struggling with daily living and how your support is still desperately needed. Vicar Blas currently serves as a mission vicar around Sheboygan, Wisconsin serving the Hispanic population.

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Watch Video Interview

Donate - Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Fund

Comfort Dogs Heal Las Vegas Shooting Victims

How does a community begin to heal in the aftermath of a mass shooting? On October 2nd, a day after a man opened fire on the Route 91 music festival, killing 58 and wounding hundreds, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs ministry deployed to Las Vegas. NBC Left Field followed a team of 22 golden retrievers as the dogs brought solace to victims, their families, first responders and the community at large.

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Watch - short Documentary by NBC’s Left Field

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Facebook post from NBC Left Field Director, Kitra Cahana:

A day following the mass shooting in Las Vegas the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs deployed to console victims, their families, first responders and workers at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Ed Ou and I followed along and made this short film [Comfort Dogs Heal Las Vegas Shooting Victims].
I learnt so much from these dogs and their handlers about the power of embodying a still and calming presence. Be present with each other. PTSD and trauma live in our midst. We can all do our part in being a comfort for each other and de-stigmatizing PTSD and its effects.
Thank you to NBC Left Field for taking on this story and Elise Coker for your magic editing. William Ryan Fritch for your beautiful music. To all the individuals who let us film their private moments with the dogs and a big thank you to Elizabeth Libby Lambert Robertson, Rich, Tim and the whole Comfort Dog teams for being so open-hearted, present and having a ministry of no judgement. The way you support each other and those you come in contact with is something I will never forget. #vegastrong
Kitra Cahana
NBC Left Field Documentaries

Thank you notes received from shooting victim visited in Las Vegas:

Dear Richard:
My name is Jenna and I am a survivor of the Vegas shooting. Words cannot explain how great it was to see you! Thank you for the kind and positive words, thoughts, and prayers. They mean the world to me! Hugs and kisses to you and Ruthie both!
With love,
Jenna
… and one for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ruthie (staff)
Dear Ms. Ruthie:
My name is Jenna and I am a survivor of the Las Vegas shooting on October 1st. I was fortunate enough to have Ruthie visit me not once, but twice! Her warm spirit, soft fluff, and just awesome self made me so happy! Thanks so much for coming and visiting! #VegasStrong!
With love,
Jenna

Comment posted on LCC Facebook:

I "ran across" the Comfort Dogs at Mandalay Bay when I was in Vegas right after the horrible shooting. Each handler gave me the dog's "business card" and I posted the business card on my FB page the following day telling people how neat it was to see them. One of my friends in Montana told me last night that she was working with her young granddaughters with a Monday Night School (their version of Sunday School). She used the Bible verses as a "core" lesson plan, they looked up the verses and talked about what they meant. The girls are young, elementary school age. I'm not the greatest "Bible Student" and didn't understand some of the verses but took away what I needed to from one of them and I thought it was neat that a FB post about the Comfort Dogs ended up being a "lesson plan" for a couple little girls in Montana. Just thought you might want to know that the Nebraska and Colorado contingent of Comfort Dogs had a far reaching effect not only in Vegas but also in Helena, Missoula, and even Boise, Idaho. Have a good weekend everybody!

Donate - LCC K-9 Travel Expense Fund