Concordia University Chicago has partnered with Lutheran Church Charities to raise money for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma. By doing so, Dean Jeff Hynes put together a ten-day relief table drop-off called Care Cards. At the drop-off students, faculty and staff were able to drop off gift cards and monetary donations. After ten days Concordia raised over $1,300 to help those in need.
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. The category 4 Hurricane left behind massive floodwater and about 30,000 people in need of housing. Hurricane Irma hit Florida September 15, 2017. Also a category 4 Hurricane. Florida filled with massive rainfall and forceful winds. According to Mark Zandi, Chief Economist of Moody’s Analytics. When it comes to damages, “It’s hard to know how much [damage there is], the storms seem likely to have caused $150 billion to $200 billion in total damage to homes and furnishings, vehicles, commercial real estate, and public infrastructure. This is comparable to the property loss resulting from Hurricane Katrina.” Since the Hurricane has now passed residents are trying to restore and rebuild their lives.
The Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) is a Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) organization. Here at Concordia, they bring furry friends on campus with their comfort dogs program. Care cards is necessary because “So many people want to help people in need in a meaningful way – but are not sure what to do.” They found that the most beneficial way to help those are through financial support, prayer, and words of encouragement.
The Concordia community received an email from Dean Hynes expressing the importance in helping those in need. Hynes put together a ten-day event where students, faculty, and staff could drop off monetary donations and gift cards. The Office of Student Leadership & Involvement even got involved by providing cards and supplies to decorate.
This is not the first time LCC has helped those in need. This is one of the reasons why Concordia partnered up with them. In the past, Hynes mentioned that the LCMS was able to build 6,200 homes after Katrina hit. Because of this, the LCMS is a well-respected organization. Dean Hynes also said that the “Red Cross and FEMA reached out to the Lutheran church to ask for help” Their commitment to helping others is not just short term, but for an extended period. When asked why LCMS Hynes explained, “That’s why we were so motivated to participate we are assured that those resources go to the people in need.”
Hynes announced on Wednesday that the Concordia community raised over $1,300 for Hurricane relief. With the donated money Concordia was able to buy and send 60 gift cards to the LCC. To close off his message he also recognized those in the Caribbean Island. Who was just hit by Hurricane Maria.
LCC is currently working in Texas and Florida, to provide aid to Hurricane victims. Hynes has also expressed that, “Students want to go down there and help those in need.” Next week more details will be released on how you can help. Currently, a service trip to Florida and Texas is in the works. If you would be a part of this, send an email: StudentActivities@CUChicago.edu.
