Last June, the hail storms that swept across Odessa ravaged buildings across the city, including St. Mary’s Church, 612 E. 18th St., which saw damage to its roof and its ceiling.
The roof has since been repaired, thanks to insurance, but the church still has tiles missing in their ceiling from the damage, with more falling out since then.
“One of the parishioners told me that every time she comes here, she feels like wearing a helmet,” Rev. Bernard Getigan, Pastor at St. Mary’s Church, said.
But spring is a time of renewal, and with the church’s upcoming spring festival on April 7, Getigan said they are hoping to raise enough funds to be able to pay for the repairs needed for the church.
To raise those funds, St. Mary’s Church will be giving away a 2015 Honda Accord in a raffle, donated by Classic Honda of Midland.
Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 each, with the winner of the raffle to be announced at the festival. Getigan said they are hoping to raise $100,000 in the raffle, and hopefully more than that.
The man responsible for the raffle is Joey Gabarda, owner of Classic Honda of Midland, who decided to give away the Honda after being told about the damage to the Church last Christmas.
“As a business owner, I feel it is our responsibility to give back to the community,” Gabarda said. “And faith is what keeps us moving every day, so doing stuff like this has a special place in my heart.”
Getigan said he was grateful to Gabarda on behalf of his church for his help in restoring and fixing St. Mary’s Church.
“We are so fortunate that Joey has a kind heart,” Getigan said.
Tickets for the raffle can be purchased at St. Mary’s Church for $10 each, and the winner of the raffle will be announced at the church’s spring festival, which starts at 11 a.m. April 7.
- What: St. Mary’s Church Spring Festival.
- When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., April 7.
- Where: 612 E. 18th St.
