LCC Disaster Response

08/29/2026

Today LCC DR finished week 5 of serving in the Northern Illinois District from tornadoes and the derecho. We were able to complete 26 sites this week totaling 670 volunteer hours. Our work is not done, but this week we had great help from 45 local and out of district/state LERT volunteers that were graciously hosted and fed by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Frankfort and other local LCMS churches and housed at Camp Manitoqua. We could not have done all we did this week without all of this support. We have had beautiful weather this week as well for working every day.

The Lord’s hand was certainly evident this week in bringing homeowner requests for assistance just as we would finish a site, to having the right equipment available for the job needing to be done, to providing the presence and hope of Christ to hurting and healing people and communities. We have heard many thanks for sending angels to help. It has been and will continue to be a blessing to serve. To God give the Glory!

08/28/2026

What a day! We served at eight homes today. One team was at St. Paul Cemetery and parsonage in Beecher clearing several fallen trees on the property. Then brothers who owned a farm across the street asked if they could possibly have some assistance. They had done quite a bit themselves but could no longer continue on their own as it was all beyond what they could have ever handled. They worked alongside the team and everyone enjoyed talking to them and hearing their life stories. Another team had to use the lift and technical rigging skills with mechanical advantages in order to safely bring some tall broken trees down safely. We are grateful for all of the skilled chainsaw volunteers who are so willing to use their training, talents and compassion of Christ to serve those in need.

08/27/2026

Today 23 LERT volunteers served at three different sites and towns. The first group was at Trinity’s Oak Glen Cemetery in Lansing clearing several large uprooted trees over tombstones and roads. We will need to return to do lift work, but much was done and greatly appreciated. The church graciously brought lunch for the team today. The second group removed several large fallen tree limbs and a downed tree off Mr. D’s barn without causing more damage that was already done. He also had other uprooted trees and limbs in his back and front yard. His family was so pleased that we could do this for them, as the quote for the work was not something they could ever afford. The team also helped his neighbor with several limbs. The third group removed a very dangerous hanger over a shed with the lift. All of these jobs required special equipment and technical skills to make each of these properties safe. It has been very good to have such willing hands and hearts to serve.

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Today 22 LERT volunteers worked at two sites. A few people finished removing a few more dangerous broken trees and hanging limbs at Camp Manitoqua.

Everyone else worked at the home of an elderly widow on her 3 acre property. She had at least 40+ trees either uprooted, hanging and/or broken all over her property. We used a skid steer and two mini-bobcats to move all of the wood and brush on to two large burn piles. Mrs. T. watched everyone all day and kept saying to all how grateful she was and that she couldn’t believe how it was all done in a day. She loved having everyone at her home, talking and visiting with her. She also loved seeing everyone smiles all day even though it was a hard and long day. She told us she was truly blessed by all of us angels! It is a privilege to serve!

08/25/2026

Today 22 LERT volunteers started our 5th week of disaster response in the Northern Illinois District serving at Camp Manitoqua, a Christian Camp that is graciously housing our LERT volunteers this week. They have a lot of trees downed and damaged all throughout their large campground and many dangerous hanging limbs. Nathan Phillips, Program Director, expressed his deep appreciation for all of the work done and our willingness to partner with them to serve the affected communities.

We also cut and moved an uprooted evergreen to the curb at a home we had served at from damage from the tornado in July. This tree fell during the derecho. She said she was grateful that we were willing to return to help her again.

08/22/2026

Another day of lift work to make two congregation members’ yards safe. Each had several large hangers that if they had fallen would have caused damage. Both women expressed their gratitude for responding to their request for assistance and the work completed.

One of the homeowners told us that she was surprised that their church could do this type of work and had all the right equipment. Lutheran Church Charities thanks all of our donors for their support that allows us to have and maintain the right equipment to serve those in need after a disaster!

08/22/2026

We completed the second day at Ms. Jane’s home, an elderly widow. Using the lift, we felled and removed a very large oak tree that had many cracked limbs and hangers so that her home and property could be safe. We also removed several dangerous hangers from three other trees in her front and back yard. She expressed her sincere thanks for all of the volunteers’ hard work and how much of a blessing we have been to her. All of the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her as well. It is a blessing to serve!

08/21/2026

Today LERT volunteers served at three homes in Beecher. One of the homes was a 93 year old disabled woman. She could not come outside at all, but was helped by her sister to stand to look out the window to see the cross cut out of her stump. We were told that it brought her to tears and she expressed her thanks to all for working all day at her home. This is why we serve!

At the home of an elderly woman, we removed a large uprooted pine that was blocking access to her front sidewalk and porch. She was so glad to know that she could now safely access her home. We spent a second day at another elderly widow’s home removing uprooted trees and limbs that fell during the second storm. She felt bad that she had to ask us back as we had done a good job of cleaning up her yard from many trees that had uprooted or fallen from the first round of tornadoes. We teased her that that her punch card was getting full. She has enjoyed being with the volunteers and all of the banter, but most of all, the mercy and compassion of Christ shown to her.

08/20/2026

Today we completed work at St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School, Munster in Munster, IN. All of us have felt very good to see their campus looking much better each day, and staff and kids returning to school and playing safely on the playground.

“We don't even know how to begin to thank you for all of your hard work over these past few days cleaning up around our church and school! Thanks to your amazing crew, we were able to safely open school yesterday and preschool today. We give thanks to your ministry and pray for you as you continue to serve these impacted communities!”

It truly has been a blessing to serve here this week.