Disaster Response

Hurricanes Helene & Milton: How to Help

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton countless people, including LCMS members and congregations, are grieving the loss of their businesses, homes, and even their loved ones. Yet equally swift have been the many congregations, organizations, church members, and volunteers from around the LCMS Synod who have contributed their time, resources, finances, and prayers to aid those affected by the hurricanes.

Kansas District congregations and schools are encouraged to prayerfully consider taking up a special offering to support our brothers and sisters in the LCMS districts affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Provided below are links for the three districts receiving contributions:

LCMS Mid-South District: https://mid-southlcms.org 

LCMS Southeastern District: https://se.lcms.org 

LCMS Florida-Georgia District: https://flgadistrict.org 

Funds received will be distributed by these districts for survivor support and some volunteer support. This will be a long-term ongoing recovery.

Other ways congregations and schools can help are by putting together hygiene kits for those districts affected. Below is a list of items needed for hygiene kits.

Please ship assembled kits to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (6175 St. Peter’s Church Road, Conover, NC 28613). The church office number is 828-256-2970.

Hurricanes Helene & Milton Hygiene Kits

• Ziplock 1 gallon food storage bags
• Fabric adhesive bandages
• Shampoo – 1.7 fl.oz.
• Hand sanitizer – 1 oz.
• Disposable travel toothbrush / toothpaste kits (individually wrapped)
• Bath soap – 3 oz. bar
• Nail clipper
• Pocket combs
• Wash cloths
• Hand towels

For questions contact Donna Williams, the Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator, at ksddrc@gmail.com. 

Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Events

Interested in helping out when disaster strikes? If so, think about attending a Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training session or deployment opportunity. For questions about any of these events, contact Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator Donna Williams at ksddrc@gmail.com. 

If you have questions and/or would like to schedule a visit (new or established teams) or inquire about scheduling or attending a LERT Basic Training or Basic Chainsaw Safety class, please contact your Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator Donna Williams, ksddrc@gmail.com. Also check out our Facebook pages (LERT Kansas District & Lutheran Early Response Team – Northeast KS) for current information and updates.

Flood Relief

Several groups have recently participated in flood bucket projects in the Kansas District, which has enabled us to respond quickly in disaster situations and prepare to meet future needs. (A good supply of buckets remains on hand in the District Office; thank you to everyone who has contributed!) If you’d like more information on assembling flood buckets, click the link below for instructions and a supply list. 

LCMS FLOOD BUCKETS GUIDE

LCEF can help, too!

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has a Disaster Assistance Program available for eligible LCMS ministries and rostered church workers in natural disaster areas. The program provides assistance in the form of loans (new or adjustment of existing LCEF loans) and/or facility redesign, repair and construction.

To learn more, visit the LCEF Disaster Assistance Program page or call 800-843-5233.

Disaster Response and Ministry with Comfort Dogs

The Kansas District maintains a relationship with various comfort dog agencies to help in responding to disasters and critical incidents. Comfort dogs are useful in breaking down barriers and building bridges to those suffering from the trauma of living in a world corrupted by sin and the resulting critical incidents and disasters. Trained Comfort Dog teams are available to be deployed due to disaster or critical incident at the discretion of the District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC). The DDRC will determine the closest or best suited comfort dogs to be deployed to the location of need. The Kansas District has funds to cover the cost of Disaster Response deployments for that are directed and approved by the DDRC. 

Don’t wait for a disaster! Comfort Dog teams love to visit schools, preschools, churches and other groups. These visits are good training for the comfort dogs and their handlers. While the expenses for such visits are not covered by the District, we encourage you to invite them for a visit. They are always willing to work with you regarding related expenses. Two of these agencies are listed below:

Kansas Lutheran Comfort K9 Ministry 
Carolyn Buono 
Cell Phone 785-633-3678 
buonocw@cox.net 

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dogs 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Webpage

Contact for Keren Comfort Dog
Carol Kratzer, jckratzer@yahoo.com
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Ellsworth, KS

Since these organizations are completely self-supporting, we ask that you consider how you might continue to support this vital ministry. Please contact them directly if you have questions or would like to contribute.