Greg Zanis’ legacy: Lutheran Church Charities takes over constructing crosses for victims
Greg Zanis was a staple in catastrophe aid. The Aurora man spent his retirement constructing 1000’s of wood crosses for 20 years. Now, a brand new group has taken over.
AURORA, In poor health. – Greg Zanis was a staple in catastrophe aid.
The Aurora man spent his retirement constructing 1000’s of wood crosses for 20 years.
Now, a brand new group has taken over.
Simply prior to now two years, they’ve distributed 800 crosses.
Zanis created 27,000 wood crosses and scattered them concerning the United States.
He constructed them in his Aurora storage, one after the other.
“He was captivated with what he did, and he simply went on the market and did it,” mentioned Tim Hetzner the President/CEO of Lutheran Church Charities.
After the police, EMS and Fireplace, Zanis was a second responder.
Driving his pickup in a single day to ship the crosses, he was by no means requested and by no means invited, however knew in his coronary heart he needed to present up.
“Greg, didn’t have any concept of what number of lives he touched as a result of he did not stick round,” mentioned Hetzner.
Zanis retired because the cross man in 2019 and died from most cancers 5 months later, however his mission continues.
He left “Crosses for Losses” to Lutheran Church Charities, and now they make it a part of their catastrophe aid response.
It’s now referred to as “Hearts of Mercy and Compassion.”
It’s usually paired with the group’s consolation canines which are so welcomed throughout disasters.
Lutheran Church Charities has expanded Zanis’ concept to incorporate markers for many who aren’t Christians and likewise hearts for anybody who needs one.
Whereas their headquarters are in Northbrook, Lutheran Church Charities now has a community of greater than a dozen church buildings that assist unfold their mission of mercy and compassion.
“It was actually heartfelt ministry and that is most individuals do not have that anymore, they consider solely themselves,” mentioned Rev. Dennis Bartels, Holy Cross Lutheran Church of North Miami.
Pastor Bartels helped get the crosses to the location of the Surfside rental collapse in Florida final summer season.
“That was the main focus of the memorial wall, and it grew to become the image of each information company worldwide,” mentioned Rev. Bartels.
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He says the crosses have proved to be private and one thing for households to carry onto and cry with, which he skilled in Surfside.
Now, his involvement is rising with the ministry.
“We’re the hub for Florida now,” mentioned Rev. Bartels. “We have already got 45 of them able to go, and we will have them there in a pair hours.”
From one man in a storage, to a nationwide effort of comforting these on their worst days, the mission of Greg Zanis lives on.
“I believe Greg would say you are doing what I requested you to, contact folks, contact folks, and do not cost,” mentioned Hetzner.
You’ll be able to assist assist Hearts of Mercy and Compassion by donating to Lutheran Church Charities.