LCC Disaster Response

05/30/2026

Greetings from Spartanburg, South Carolina! This weekend, LCC Disaster Response and LERT volunteers are on a Short-Term Mission Trip to help people in this community who are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene 21 months after the storm hit. More than 50 volunteers will serve together, including our friends from Lutheran Servants for Christ and Southeastern District, LCMS. We expect as many as 500 people from Spartanburg seeking assistance tomorrow. Pray for the Lord to be glorified.

Greetings from Spartanburg, South Carolina! This weekend, LCC is on a Short-Term Mission Trip to help people in this community who are still feeling the effe...

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

As we honor their courage, we also hold close the families, friends, and communities who carry their memory every day. We pray that God’s comfort surrounds all who grieve. ❤️💙🇺🇸

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

05/03/2026

LCC Disaster Response recognizes 21 new sawyers that completed LCMS basic and intermediate chainsaw training on May 1st – 2nd at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, IL. These new sawyers joined another 23 chainsaw team volunteers from the NID in clearing trees around this Christian camp from storm damage and to make trails passable. Thank you to our knowledgeable instructors, team leaders and volunteers willing to learn how to use their skills to help those in need. One of the new sawyers sent a text that read, “I sure appreciate the fabulous training and belonging to a great team! It is a blessing!”

04/30/2026

Today LERT volunteers worked at 3 homes. Mr. L. has a large farm property with a long driveway. As the tornado siren sounded for the third time on April 17, he saw the tornado heading straight toward him. Many trees and limbs along his driveway uprooted and fell, blocking his access. Neighbors cut a path for him to get through, but he wondered how he would get the rest of the downed trees cut that were along the driveway and all over his property. The team worked all day cutting and dragging the wood and brush to burn piles as well as cutting firewood length for future burning. Mr. L. was overwhelmed with everything that got done to clear his land and for being there for the day with him. At another home they also carefully and successfully removed an uprooted split leaning tree that was over a neighbor’s fence and a utility box. The homeowner was so relieved to have this done without causing any further damage.

At Miss P.’s home, the lift team removed hangers from several trees in her yard. Another team had worked at her home over the weekend removing fallen trees and limbs. She is so grateful that we returned to make her yard safe, as she knew she could never afford what was done. She expressed her sincere thanks for helping and caring for her. It is a blessing to serve!

04/27/2026

Today work continued in Roscoe with two small groups of volunteers serving at 3 sites. Mrs. K. had 6 trees blown down needing removal. She was a self-professed tree hugger, and was very emotional about the fruit trees she had lost and would not be able to start over. When we asked if her husband could get new and replant, she broke down saying her husband had been laid off work for two months and they were struggling. She shared they were now fighting with the insurance company to repair the fence and the small damage to their home. The team made quick work of the trees and Karen was grateful it was over so she did not have to see the trees broken and falling down. When we did the group picture and prayer after the job was complete, we presented her with an apple and a plum tree to start over. She broke down and said that type of plum was the very same she had before that she made the old family recipe of plum dumplings from. She was overwhelmed and excited to get them planted to start over. She said she would remember what we did every year when the trees bloomed. Sometimes listening to their story and doing something extra makes all the difference to someone who needs hope restored. Every family expressed their thanks for the care and assistance given to them.

04/26/2026

Today was the last day for LCC LERT to serve in Lena. It has been such a pleasure to serve in this town. St John Lutheran Church members and community residents have been so welcoming and appreciative of our work. I went to the Casey’s gas station today to get pizza for our small group for lunch. The lady asked if I was with another group in town and I told her no, I was with the LERT team from St John’s. She said, “Oh, you’re the lift team! Thank you so much for what you are doing here!” We definitely tackled a very complex lift job today using many rigging techniques. All of the very dangerous limbs were removed safely. The homeowner was so pleased and relieved that he didn’t have to worry about his home or garage being badly damaged.

LCC LERT volunteers began their work in Roscoe serving out or St. Andrew’s in Rockton, IL. This damage is also from a tornado that struck last Friday, April 17th. They worked at 3 sites today with each of the homeowners greatly appreciating the work done to make their property safe again. It truly is a blessing to serve in both communities!

04/25/2026

Today, one of the LERT teams needed to fell 14 topped and damaged trees from the backyard of a homeowner. He backed up to the school that had been hit from the tornado. He hated to lose all his trees, but was grateful his home was not destroyed and everyone was safe. The lift crew had two sites to work at. Each required rigging and careful planning to remove the damaged limbs safely. The families were all very thankful for the professional and caring assistance. Tomorrow LCC LERT teams will complete one more day in Lena and also begin serving in Roscoe.

04/24/2026

Today a large LERT crew worked at Pastor’s home clearing all of the fallen trees along and in the creek running along his property. He was very pleased with everything done and expressed his gratitude to all. It has been a joy to serve this community representing St John’s. The lift team removed a very dangerous suspended limb, a large dangling trunk and a split tree that was hollow in the center from the yard of Mr. and Mrs. F. home. All of these could have seriously hurt someone or their home had they fallen. At another home, they removed a very large topped pine tree from their kids play area. Both families were so grateful for the assistance and care shown to them. One of the homeowners gave us a little poem about being a village. She told us that we are now a part of her village that she is very thankful for!

04/23/2026

Today the LERT volunteers worked at seven sites. One of the teams felled a 40’ tall , 36” diameter pine tree trunk left after the tornado. They also helped at several homeowners yards to remove dangerous widow makers. One of the young mother’s was so relieved as she said it ahs been difficult to have her kids home from school and not able to play in their yard for fear of falling limbs. At another home, the team removed several topped evergreens and other damaged trees. The homeowner, who is ill, enjoyed sitting on his bench watching the work being done and talking with each of the volunteers. He told them they were a real blessing to him, but he was a blessing to us all! To God be the Glory!

04/22/2026

Mr. F. is a young homeowner of 3 weeks. The tornado caused every tree on his property to either fall or was left badly damaged and with dangerous hanging limbs. His home is also damaged – roof, soffit, gutters and windows will need to be replaced and there is some interior damage too. He was hit by flying glass as the tornado struck. Our LERT team served all day there, felling 7 dangerous trees and clearing his large yard of limbs, pinecones and other debris. His aunt worked all day with the team and could not express enough gratitude for all we did to help her nephew. She hugged each of us with tears after presenting her with a cross cut in a slice of the tree and carving a cross in the stump in the yard. Pastor Shaw was also present and spent time thanking each volunteer serving on behalf of his congregation.