LCC Disaster Response

LERT crews put faith into action today in Spartanburg, SC, in a HUGE way serving families and community members who are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. From unloading to setting up to serving as ambassadors and helping hands, our volunteers shined the light of Christ with smiles and caring hearts. We're so thankful for all the ways you made this community outreach possible. Thanks be to God!!

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!

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.

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!