Vandalized church turns other cheek with school supply drive

Lincoln — Broken windows, graffiti, egged walls and a vandalized van haven’t soured Trinity Lutheran Church on young people. The church on West 39th Street decided to repay “the population which was responsible” for all that destruction, which occurred in December and January, by holding a school-supply drive on Aug. 23. “We could hold a grudge. But we’d rather let this same group of children know that God loves them,” finance manager Geri Combs said. “We hope they come and see that we want good things for them.” Backpacks and other supplies worth more than $8,000 were distributed to 120 children. The event included games and dinner; leftover supplies will go to nearby Lincoln Elementary and Discovery Middle schools.