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LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
Deploy to Highland Park, Illinois

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GIVE BELOW

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CLICK HERE to see photos of LCC ministries serving in Highland Park

Posted: Wednesday, July 20
LCC Ministries Bring a Comforting Presence to the Highland Park, Illinois, Community

“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” Psalm 18:28

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During the month of July, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry spent time with the grieving community of Highland Park, Illinois, sharing God’s light and comfort. In grief, confusion, fear, and pain, we search for the light to lead us out of the darkness that surrounds us. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers were a quiet and loving presence for those they met.
 
On July 13, residents of Highland Park and surrounding communities came together for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives of their loved ones, to hold each other close, and to share their grief, pain, and their fear.
During these horrific tragedies, God sends His helpers as a shining light into the darkness. The counselors, firefighters, police, paramedics, nurses, doctors, the store owners, the mothers and neighbors who made ribbons and painted the storefront windows, the ones who delivered food to the first responders, and neighbors who checked on each other to see how they were doing and if they needed anything.
 
He sent the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses to be a loving, comforting presence. This community is strong and united. God’s light, hope, and love will show the way.
 
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams will continue to serve this hurting community as invited.
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

Posted: Tuesday, July 12
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Serve the Hurting Community of Highland Park, Illinois, with Love and Compassion
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The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion continued to serve the Highland Park community all week after the Independence Day celebrations turned to tragedy on Monday, July 4, when a gunman killed seven people and injured dozens of others at a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Jim Buckman, Senior Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were present at several locations in and around Highland Park to offer comfort and support. On Tuesday, July 5, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers attended an Interfaith Prayer Vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
 
LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses placed hearts and markers for those whose lives were taken too soon in this horrific tragedy. People stopped by the blue, wooden hearts to grieve and to sign them with heartfelt messages. They serve an important purpose for those grieving - comfort and reassurance.
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"I realized last night, while watching the news, that your blue hearts with the fish have become a regular visual in the news coverage. It gives me comfort to see them because I know you are where you're needed, but I'm beyond sad that you're needed so often. Thank you for what you do." Ann, Facebook comment
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams organized several Meet and Greet events throughout the week at the Highland Park Veteran's Memorial.
 
"It's just bringing that comfort to a hurting community," said LCC staff member Dona Martin. "When they're petting a dog, it just naturally lowers their blood pressure. It just gives them that moment to be natural for a little while," Martin said.
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The LCC K-9 Ministry teams brought with them Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. Many children and adults smiled upon receiving a stuffie and cuddled it tightly. A stuffie is one way LCC can offer lasting comfort. Thes stuffies are available for purchase on our website, and every time you purchase a stuffie, we give one to someone who is suffering and in need.
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Buy one give one: https://luthcc.org/BuyOneGiveOne
 
If you would like to donate to the mini stuffed dogs but not have one shipped to you, here is a different link to donate.
 
Donate stuffies: https://luthcc.org/DonateStuffies

Throughout the week, the teams have made several visits to the Family Assistance Center at Highland Park High School and Highland Park Montessori Preschool.
 
They met many people who were at the Fourth of July parade, heard the gunshots, or knew one of the victims. They met individuals who experienced survivor's guilt and wish they had done more. They met nurses who have been tending to the wounded and police officers who have been working nonstop.
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These LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been serving Highland Park, Illinois, and will continue to be present with the community and walk with them in their grief.
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LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Asher (Faith Lutheran - Lake Forest, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bekah & Kye (Immanuel - Belvidere, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Benjamin (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Emma (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eunice (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Isaiah & Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jacob (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ruthie (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Samson (Zion – Marengo, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois)
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them

Posted: Tuesday, July 5
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Deploy Within 24 Hours Following Mass Shooting at July Fourth Parade in Highland Park, Illinois

7 Killed & Dozens Wounded and Traumatized

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
The Independence Day celebrations turned to tragedy on Monday, July 4, when a gunman killed seven people and injured dozens of others at a July Fourth parade in Highland Park, Illinois, about 25 miles north of Chicago.

Hundreds of attendees started to flee in terror, abandoning their belongings strewn on the streets. Eyewitnesses described grabbing their children and families and running for their lives, some hiding behind dumpsters or in nearby stores for safety amid the chaos.
The same afternoon, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Jim Buckman, Senior Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, Crosses for Losses, to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this tragic event.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been invited to several locations in and around Highland Park to offer comfort and support to the community.
On Tuesday, July 5, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their ministry teams, and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), Crosses for Losses were present at a Prayer Vigil at Highland Park Presbyterian Church to help bring comfort and hope to those grieving.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their ministry teams will continue to serve the Highland Park community as requested.
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LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Asher (Faith Lutheran - Lake Forest, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bekah & Kye (Immanuel - Belvidere, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Emma (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eunice (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jacob (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ruthie (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Samson (Zion – Marengo, Illinois)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois)
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

Please support us by prayer and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses.
 
Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
 
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!
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Tim Hetzner
President/CEO 
Lutheran Church Charities

Location

Contact Us

Lutheran Church Charities
3020 Milwaukee Ave.
Northbrook, IL 60062
Local: 224-257-4389
Toll Free: 866-455-6466
Fax : 866-451-1476
LCC@LutheranChurchCharities.org

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Lutheran Church Charities
LCC Disaster Response
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs
LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry
LCC K-9 Police Ministry
LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
  • Home
  • About
    • Staff >
      • Leadership
      • All Staff
      • Disaster Response
      • Ministry Development/Donor Relations
      • Hearts of Mercy & Compassion/Crosses for Losses
      • K-9 Ministries
      • Communications/IT
      • Operations
    • Board of Directors >
      • LCC Board of Directors
      • Spiritual Advisors to the President/CEO
    • Mission
    • Employment
    • LCC In the News >
      • Recent
      • Affiliates
      • Featured
      • Archives
    • Articles
    • LCC Events
    • Social Feed
  • Ways to Give to LCC
    • Donation Policy
    • LCC General Fund
    • Disaster Response
    • LCC K-9 Ministries
    • Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
    • Non-Monetary Donations
  • Disaster and Crisis Response
    • K-9/HMC Deployment Giving Page - Nashville, Tennessee
    • Disaster Response >
      • Give Now
      • Training and Certification
      • Volunteer
    • Crisis Response
    • Care Carding
  • K-9 Ministries
    • Request a K-9 Comfort Dog Visit
    • K-9 Comfort Dogs >
      • About
      • Give Now
      • Meet the Dogs >
        • Affiliate Ministry Members
        • Affiliate K-9s Map by State
        • LCC Staff K-9 Comfort Dogs
        • K-9 Comfort Dogs In Training
        • LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs - Permanently Deployed
      • K-9 Apprentice Trainer
      • Articles
    • Kare 9 Military Ministry >
      • About
      • Give Now
      • Meet The Kare 9s
      • Meet The Kare 9 Squad
      • Kare 9 Articles
    • LCC K-9 Police Ministry >
      • About
      • Give Now
      • Meet The K-9 Police Ministry
      • LCC K-9 Police Ministry Articles
    • LCC K-9 Court System Fund - Ezra
    • Partners in Comfort >
      • Veterinary Services
      • Grooming Services
    • Acquiring an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog
  • Hearts of Mercy & Compassion
    • Request a Mercy Heart or Cross
    • About
    • Volunteer
    • Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Coloring Pages
  • Current Needs
    • Families in Need
    • Ministries in Need
    • Vehicle Donations
    • Your Donations Make A Difference
    • International Missions >
      • Turkey and Syria
      • Ukraine
      • Haiti
      • Ghana >
        • C-WoW Health for Ghana
        • C-WoW Wells for Ghana
      • Ethiopia
      • Israel
  • Volunteer
    • Disaster Response/LERT
    • Hearts of Mercy & Compassion/Crosses for Losses
    • K-9 Apprentice Trainer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • WORD Bible Study
    • WORD - Live Course
    • WORD - Online Courses
    • WORD - Short Courses & Small Groups
    • WORD Classroom
    • Daily Devotions
    • Travel Opportunities
  • Resources
    • Food Equipment Ministry Outreach
    • Listen to Learn / Speak to Serve
    • Ministry Resources
    • Parent Resources
    • Face Mask Project
    • People EncourAGING People
    • Bag Mat Project
    • Items Available >
      • Items Free for the Asking
      • Items Available to a Ministry
      • Non-Monetary Donations
  • Contact Us
    • Request for Prayer
    • Subscribe
  • Media Center
    • In the News
    • Crisis Response
  • Shop
    • Store
    • Amazon Smile
    • Christianbook.com