O.C. man gives $10,000 to South L.A. church destroyed by fallen tree

An Orange County businessman donated $10,000 today to Pilgrim Community Church in South Los Angeles, where gusty winds blew a 90-foot pine tree onto the roof of the small church, destroying the building.

The donation was delivered about 11 a.m. by Pastor Matt Olthoff of the Mariners Church in Newport Beach. A church member made the donation but requested anonymity, Olthoff said.

Pilgrim church member Lorraine Cook-Curry, whose grandfather the Rev. Henry Cook founded the small, white church, accepted the money.

“I was expecting $10 or $100,” Cook-Curry said in a telephone interview. “But then I saw one too many zeros, and I almost went over the rail.”

In addition to the donation, volunteers from Mariners will help rebuild Pilgrim church, Cook-Curry said.

Donations have trickled in since the tree blew down Oct. 27, Cook-Curry said, and church leaders hope to raise at least $60,000 to help pay for construction costs and to buy generators.

Neighbors have volunteered to help with demolition, which is set to be completed next week. Local churches also have offered to help, but nothing has been organized yet, she said.

“I’m still kind of numb,” she said. “I want to wash this man’s feet. He’s an angel. What a blessing.”

Donations to assist Pilgrim Community Church can be sent to P.O. Box 111728, Los Angeles, CA 90011.

--Ruben Vives

Comments

[bob e.]

its awesome to see God's family doing His work!

[public opinion]

Thank you to the wonderful anonymous donor and to all of the members of the Mariners Church in Newport Beach stepping in to help rebuild.

[Honest Minority Obama Supporter - Forget PC]

Great generous gift.

However, we never see black people helping anyone but themselves. Look at Obama. He happily accepted the Nobel prize that he has not earned. Obama should be here in California, and doing something to stop the 30% increase in public college costs.

Overall black people make up only 12% of the population, but commit over 60% of the crimes. Stop giving handouts to the descendants of Ham; in that way they can learn about being responsible respected citizens.

Instead of being our society's problem people; shape up. Obama is our President, so no more excuses for being criminals.

[Sandy Beaches]

Wow, what a wonderful act of humanity...especially when religion is under attack.

Awesome!