Philanthropy today often comes in many forms ” most of them aloof and superficial.
After the 2005 hurricane crises, however, the Torrey Pines Christian Church (TPCC) decided to do something more involved. Working with the University Christian Church in Hillcrest and the Temple of Praise Christian Church in Beaumont, Texas, the La Jolla group constructed a house for a Texas family affected by Hurricane Rita.
The idea took root in November 2005, following a string of contributions that included a $10,000 donation to an Arkansas church that had served as an emergency shelter after the hurricane.
“We wanted to do more than just a send a check off,” said Dr. Pat Sell, an elder, trustee and 36-year member of TPCC, adding that the congregation had previous experience in construction projects in Tijuana, but had never taken on something of this magnitude.
After fund-raising yielded $50,000 in January 2006, the congregation found a family in Beaumont who, although their house had been destroyed by the hurricane, had volunteered at their church in providing meals for disaster responders.
The house was then largely constructed by volunteers this June in the TPCC parking lot. Each week, congregation members from both TPCC and the University Christian Church gathered on Saturdays to build and socialize.
Two members of TPCC went to Beaumont to meet with the family, and Habitat for Humanity was involved with its “House in a Box” concept ” one that had to be altered to suit local permits.
After completing construction, the house was disassembled and shipped by truck to Beaumont.
“The Christian faith is about caring for the least and the lost, and we are committed to that through this project,” said the Reverend David Van Heyningen, interim minister for TPCC, noting that more than 100 volunteers worked over the course of the month, ranging in age from 5 to 80-plus.
Van Heyningen came to TPCC in July 2005 after living in Lake Charles, La., so it is no surprise that he has personal connections and friendships with many of the displaced families in the Gulf Coast.
Sell noted that TPCC and the Temple of Praise have considerable demographic differences, such as race and economic status.
Nevertheless, as she said, “We were able to share our love.”
Apart from Habitat for Humanity, other organizations from around San Diego participated in the project as well, including the Church Lady Quilters Group of University City, which provided quilts for each member of the family.
The 1,300-square-foot house is currently awaiting pending permits in Texas. Its completion, also by volunteers, is expected to take place next month, at which point it will be appointed with kitchen cabinets and appliances that are currently in TPCC’s storage.
“We made a commitment to make a thoughtful response after everyone had forgotten,” Van Heyningen said.
TPCC held a completion ceremony, which included a Dixieland band, on Aug. 13 on its grounds at 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive, North.
Further information can be found by visiting www.torreypineschurch.org, or by calling (858) 453-3550.