Despite some of the hardships facing our LCC community, it is nice to see that the spirit of giving is as strong as ever for those in need. The giving for hurricane assistance this year surpassed the donations for assistance after Hurricane Idalia, in spite of the fact that many of our givers had themselves been impacted by the storms. Ready for Life believed they’d have to scale back their solicitations this year because of the hurricanes. But as we’ve proven so many times before, when a need arises, LCC rises to the occasion!
First, the Hurricane Relief Fund
Fully one-third of the Day School staff lost their homes, and many of the congregation, particularly the elderly members, were severely impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Just like after Idalia in 2023, volunteers sprang into action to assist in both the physical recovery of the Church and Day School but also with financial assistance. Generous donors contributed $21,500 which was distributed to 20 staff/members. Participation came at all levels, with donations ranging from $50 to $5000. Grandparents of one of the day school families sent a generous donation because they wanted to ensure they directly helped those in our school and church community.
And then there was the Angel Tree…
So with all that wonderful generosity, you might think our church would experience giving fatigue. But not LCC! Our church family knows how blessed we have been with Christ’s love, and so when the Ready for Life Angel Tree presented us with another opportunity, we were ready to respond. Every year, LCC members have taken angels off the tree and purchased the requested gift cards. In the past, the requests were for $50 cards. RFL thought they’d have to scale back their requests for donations this year because of the economic impact of the extensive floods in our area. They thought they could only ask for $25 gift cards. But because of the generosity of our members, RFL was able to put an additional $25 gift card into the stockings to give the youth what they have received in the past.
This resulted in our church collecting $4,610 worth of goodies for the youth. That translated into 100 stockings with requested gift cards worth $25. Each stocking also had $5 Dunkin’ card, assorted sundries and candy. We also collected an additional fifty $25 gift cards for the youth.
Ready for Life (RFL) is a program that helps young adults who have aged out of the foster care system but who still need additional support and guidance. LCC member and RFL volunteer Kate Linde said, “It’s truly an amazing feeling to have the youth come to the center and receive their gifts. Many moms are extremely grateful and the single youth know that they have a home there. One mom just got custody of her two children back. It’s a great Christmas present for her. RFL made sure that she not only had presents but much needed food. In fact, RFL was able to provide each family with a box of food that included a ham.”
We want to personally thank each person who contributed their time and talents and resources to the hurricane relief effort and the RFL Angel Tree Program. Despite the personal hardship so many of our members endured, we came together as one to embody Jesus’ love for those in need. Well done, good and faithful servants!
