Barber whose shop was damaged in looting expected doughnuts. Instead church gave him $10K.

Derrick Richardson knew the church group would come by his boarded-up barber shop to film a commercial to encourage members to come and support his business. He also knew the pastor was bringing his toddler foster son for his first haircut. And he suspected that the group might bring a token gift.

But he had no idea that when the time came to pay for Baby Thunder’s shave, Pastor Dave Summrall would pull out a $10,000 check from his church, ITown, to help Richardson rebuild his shop, DR Barber Salon.

“I was thinking more like doughnuts today,” Richardson said. “I can’t believe this is real.”

Like many of the businesses damaged last weekend, the looting came as added insult to the injury from eight weeks of coronavirus-inflicted closure.

ITown Church, based in Fishers, took $40,000 from its own coffers to give three downtown black-owned businesses a boost.

A fourth check went to CityLife, a Central Indiana ministry that brought about 60 young people to help clean the streets.

Many church members also volunteered to clean up and hand out food and water to those they encountered downtown, from protesters to the homeless to law enforcement.

"We absolutely believe and champion Black Lives Matter because racism is one of the worst spirits in America," said Mike Woods, the church's outreach and missions pastor. "We believe the church is the hope of the world and should be an example when it comes to racial reconciliation."        

Sixteen-year-old James Holder stood on the corner trying to eradicate graffiti scrawled on the corner of a building saying “Stop Killing Us!!!”

The Warren High School junior said he did not understand why people targeted random businesses, particularly those that are black owned.

“They’re just putting their anger into places that are trying to get business,” he said. “These businesses are struggling, too.”

Some damage, however, requires much more than scrubbing and elbow grease.

As the ITown group walked into Richardson’s barber shop, Kate Sumrall pointed out to her children the jagged broken glass that the plywood outside had hidden from view. When they next visited Michael’s Soul Kitchen a few doors down, one of her daughters noted with some surprise that the windows there had been smashed as well.

Richardson’s shop requires many repairs. He has not only broken windows in his salon but also an air conditioner on the fritz that nows requires attention. When Sumrall handed him the check, he was flabbergasted.

“I’m trying to be strong here,” he said, choking back tears. “It has been a challenge for any entrepreneur to step out on faith. ... For you guys to come down, to care, to think about, to bless this shop.”

His neighbor Romeo Gerson, the owner of Michael’s, had been providing free meals to seniors and families in need throughout the time that the coronavirus closed his doors. He was looking forward to getting back into business.

Then he arrived at his restaurant last weekend to find it in shambles. At a loss, he started a $10,000 GoFundMe account. The largest gift that he received before Saturday’s ITown check was a $1,000 donation from a private company.

“Wow, this is amazing,” he said, looking at the paper that Sumrall handed over.

A few blocks away, rioters ransacked J. Benzal Menswear. Not only did they break the front windows, they attacked the mannequins, stabbing one with a knife, and shattered glass display cases. They even broke into the back of the shop and looted much of the inventory.

In all, owner Ben Diallo estimates losses of just under $400,000, at least some of which he hoped insurance would cover. The Itown check would also help, he said.

“This is a huge surprise, a big blessing,” he said.

Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo, his wife, said their family supports the protests and its message. They had planned to attend last Sunday’s Faith in Indiana protest with their daughters. Instead, they spent the day cleaning up and assessing the damage to the store.

While Shaheed-Diallo said the looting was disappointing, she was trying to keep things in perspective.

“I think I have shed more tears for the people that have been lost than for the merchandise we lost,” she said.

Contact IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky at shari.rudavsky@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter: @srudavsky.