Community helps church in Rockland after Christmas tree allegedly stolen
"To be honest with you, I feel very blessed because this is a very small local church in a small town,” said Pastor Woo Lim Kwak, who says bags of items are now coming through their doors after people saw our report. “Thanks to News 12, the people have been really generous to the church."
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The community is helping the Thiells Garnerville United Methodist Church after its “mitten tree” was allegedly stolen earlier this week. It collected winter gear to give to those in need.
"To be honest with you, I feel very blessed because this is a very small local church in a small town,” said Pastor Woo Lim Kwak, who says bags of items are now coming through their doors after people saw our report. “Thanks to News 12, the people have been really generous to the church."
Also in true Christmas spirit, two Christmas trees showed up Thursday morning and he doesn't know who they're from. He says they plan to give those to families who cannot afford to have one.
And thanks to a local business, they will in fact have a mitten tree once again.
"I think it's blasphemy that someone takes a tree, from a church, during Christmas week,” Tina Celetti-Ostrander, with Celetti Nursery & Garden Center. They gave the pastor their last tree and plan to give them a new one each year. "I'm grateful for what they do for the community, and I'm willing to help them out whenever they need it."
During News 12's follow-up on Friday, the church gave toys they collected to local schools for families. Those educators in return gave dozens of gloves to help give the gift of warmth.
The church will continue accepting any winter gear donations through Jan. 26.
Haverstraw police say they are still investigating and do not have any leads at this time.
