It was 1981 and less than 24 hours earlier, Marilyn Porter learned her 14-year-old son had accepted Christ four years ago at the Alpine Camp and Conference Center. She rolled over at 2 a.m. and told her husband Tad that she had this idea that she couldn’t stop thinking about.
To his credit, Tad said to make a pot of coffee and talk it out.
“I knew the Lord had a plan,” said Marilyn. “It became very clear to me that I needed to start an auxiliary to the Alpine Camp and Conference Center, and it was to be named Alpine Angels.”
Marilyn called the director of the camp the next morning. There was dead silence on the other end of the line after she told the director her idea. The director shared that the board has been praying for an opportunity like this for some time. Marilyn knew she wanted to impact the lives of youth by giving them mentorship and an opportunity to attend camp, even if they couldn’t afford it. She wanted them to be able to come to know Christ just like her son did.
Rolling Hills Covenant Church became the de facto headquarters for Alpine Angels. There someone approached Marilyn about the possibility of opening thrift stores, with the proceeds going to sponsor scholarships to youth so they could attend camp.
In August 1991 the first Alpine Attic Thrift Shop opened in Lomita and has had a presence there ever since. The following year Marilyn received a call asking if she would consider opening an additional location. Soon after, the Simi Valley shop set up residence. For nearly three decades, the Alpine Angels have been helping youth attend camp and get the opportunity to learn about Christ.
Alpine Attic 