It’s been months since the deadly tsunamis ravaged the shores and lives of Southeast Asia.

But last week, the Suffolk chapter of the American Red Cross received its single largest donation-$10,147-earmarked for tsunami victims from the congregation of Oakland Christian Church in Chuckatuck.

To date, the local organization has sent $80,000 to help rebuild the lives devastated in the natural disaster, said spokeswoman Donna Perry.

&uot;It’s a wonderful and generous gesture by the Oakland congregation,&uot; she said.

&uot;It just shows the type of people we have in Suffolk.

&uot;The Bible says ‘ask and you shall receive,’&uot; she said. &uot;I ask every day and…every day, the people of Suffolk do what is necessary to come to the aid of their fellow man.

&uot;It never ceases to amaze me.&uot;

Oakland’s pastor, the Rev. Mark Burns, said his congregation approached him looking for ways to help shortly after the Dec. 26 disaster.

Although a couple of church members penned checks for upwards of $1,000, most contributed smaller amounts during special offerings held in recent weeks, he said.

&uot;It’s been coming in bit by bit over the past three months,&uot; Burns said.

His congregation wanted to help the tsunami victims move ahead with their lives.

&uot;They care,&uot; Burns said. &uot;All this came about because good Suffolk mothers and fathers reared their kids to care for other people.

&uot;…I’m proud to be pastor of a church that cares not just for people’s souls but for people’s lives.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com