NEW YORK - New York Post readers gave a $670,000 Christmas present to a crumbling church damaged by fire and ransacked by thieves.

The Church of the Holy Cross on West 42nd Street near Times Square was already struggling with a collapsing ceiling and crumbling walls when a fire tore through its rectory on Labor Day. The cost of the repairs hit nearly $200,000, and insurance didn't cover it all.

Then, days after the fire, thieves broke in and robbed computers from the church's food pantry.

The New York Post started a campaign to help the church, and more than 2,500 people responded with donations.

Holy Cross' pastor, the Rev. Peter Colapietro, said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and strangers.