A fundraiser has brought in more than $100,000 to help a Long Beach Catholic school rebuild after at least one person destroyed religious articles, furniture, and other items on Monday, Feb. 2.
As of Tuesday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign had raised $100,795 to support Holy Innocents School in recovering from the damage. Staff discovered shelves, audio equipment, and school supplies among the items that were thrown around and, in some cases, destroyed throughout the School Hall.
A life-sized statue of the Virgin Mary was shoved to the ground and decapitated. Additionally, 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.
The principal sent a message to the school community on Monday, requesting help to clean and take inventory of the damaged items so that the space could be ready for morning Mass the following day. At least 50 people, including staff and families, showed up to assist, Tripp said.
On Tuesday, around 60 community members, in addition to students, attended a reparation Mass where the bishop reconsecrated the sacred space. He also led a Eucharistic procession to bless the school and pray for its protection. Some visitors said they drove all the way from Orange County to support the school and church after hearing about the vandalism.
Families also reached out and donated a four-foot stand-in statue of the Virgin Mary, which will be used at Mass until Holy Innocents determines how to proceed.
Parents were moved, some even crying as they brought the statue in. They expressed their gratitude for the community’s efforts to support the church.
“We’re super duper grateful,” Tripp said. “The spirit and energy that’s been generated—it really restores your faith in humanity.”
*Note: GoFundMe takes a transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation to cover payment processing and ensure funds are delivered safely.*
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2026/02/03/after-vandalism-more-than-100k-raised-to-help-long-beach-catholic-school/