A fundraiser has brought in more than $100,000 to help a Long Beach Catholic school recover after at least one person destroyed religious articles, furniture, and other items on Monday, Feb. 2.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised $100,795 as of Tuesday afternoon to assist Holy Innocents School in rebuilding from the damage. Staff found shelves, audio equipment, and school supplies among the items thrown around and, in some cases, destroyed throughout the School Hall.
The GoFundMe platform charges a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation. These fees cover payment processing and ensure funds are delivered safely, according to the organization.
Among the damaged items, a life-sized statue of the Virgin Mary was shoved to the ground and decapitated. The church tabernacle—a fixed and locked box that holds the Eucharist—was ripped from the sanctuary and thrown to the ground.
“We’re just overwhelmed with the outpouring of support,” said Tony Tripp, the school’s director of advancement.
On Monday, the principal sent a message to the school community requesting help to clean and take inventory of the damaged items so the space could be ready for morning Mass the following day. At least 50 people, including staff and families, showed up to assist, Tripp shared.
On Tuesday, around 60 community members, along with students, attended a reparation Mass. During the service, the bishop reconsecrated the sacred space and led a Eucharistic procession to bless the school and pray for protection.
Some visitors said they traveled from Orange County to support the school and church after hearing about the vandalism, Tripp added.
Families also reached out with donations, including a four-foot stand-in statue of the Virgin Mary. This statue will be used at Mass until Holy Innocents decides how it wants to proceed.
Parents were visibly moved as they brought the statue in, expressing how touched they were by the community’s support, Tripp said.
“We’re super duper grateful,” he remarked. “The spirit and energy that’s been generated really restores your faith in humanity.”
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2026/02/03/after-vandalism-more-than-100k-raised-to-help-long-beach-catholic-school/