The community of Pomona banded together Sunday after a popular church was gutted by a fire hours before a planned Christmas event that included a toy giveaway.
Firefighters were sent to Victory Outreach Pomona at 177 W. Monterey Ave., about a mile south of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, at 2:27 a.m. Saturday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They had the fire out at 6:13 a.m., according to a dispatcher.
“As some of you might have heard, this morning our church building caught on fire and it was redeemed a total loss. We will be postponing our service this morning and our `Believe' play & toy giveaway until further notice,” the church posted on Facebook. “Please join us in prayer for our pastors and our church.
Not too long after the church made its social media post, support poured in from community members eager to step in and help. Neighbors, nearby churches, families and even the local fire department donated gifts to make the toy giveaway still possible.
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"We had some on hand and we said, 'You know what? Let us go and give, give what we have and support them,' because the kids -- we want them to have an amazing Christmas, as well," said Lacrease Coleman, Abundant Living Family Church Pastor.
Leaders and congregation members of Victory Outreach church said they were touched by the support they received during this trying time.
"We’re going to come back stronger, that’s what is helping lift me up, to know that I am not alone, we have a great congregation," Robert Garcia, Victory Outreach Senior Pastor, said.
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No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire was under Investigation.
