Donated
toys taken from Salvation Army storage container
By
May Ahmad
On-line Forty-Niner
For
hundreds of children in Long Beach, the
hope for a joyous Christmas have been threatened
after the theft of $20,000 worth of new,
donated toys from the Salvation Army Long
Beach Corps during Memorial Day weekend,
said Captain Kyle Trimmer, head of that
corps.
"It
is always difficult emotionally and financially
to handle a break-in. But it is especially
distressing to know that we might not be
able to replace all of the toys, since our
insurance doesn't cover those costs,"
Trimmer said in a press release on Sept.
8.
The
toys, which were stored in a 42-foot container,
were not the only losses. Trimmer
said that two other containers of emergency
supplies were also broken into. The
monetary value of these supplies is still
being assessed, however they are insured.
The
theft was discovered by Paul Wolkersdorfer,
head of the maintenance department, on the
Tuesday after the holiday weekend.
"The
thieves were unable to break in through
the door and lock," Wolkersdorfer said,
describing how the emergency supplies containers
were broken into. "They cut a hole
in the side of the container and made entry
that way."
As
for the container of toys, Wolkersdorfer
said that the thieves were able to break
through the lock system on the door, which
differed from the other two containers.
"My
heart just dropped," Trimmer said,
describing his reaction. "Every single
toy was taken. All that was left were a
few artificial Christmas trees and some
Christmas wrap."
Trimmer
said that last year, the Long Beach Salvation
Army Corps was able to help 1,500 families
during Christmas, through the donation of
toys as well as purchasing $11,000 worth
of more toys.
Despite
the unfortunate events, Trimmer said that
Christmas celebrations will still go on
as they have for 96 years. However, with
the loss of the toy donations, he said they
might, "have to cut down on the amount
of families" that will be helped.
"We
don't have the financial resources to cover
that," Trimmer said.
The
theft of the emergency supplies is also
disturbing to the people of the Salvation
Army. Wolkersdorfer said that the emergency
canteen that was broken in to is, "one
of a fleet that the Salvation Army has stationed."
Among
the emergency supplies taken were electric
lights, blankets and electric generators,
Wolkersdorfer said.
"They
are vital in our emergency disaster response,"
he said.
The
police have not yet captured those responsible
for the theft and said the investigation
is ongoing.
"I've
been told by someone familiar with the case
that, at this time, there are no additional
leads," said Detective Johnny Medina,
of the Burglary Division at the Long Beach
police department.
In
the midst of all the disappointment, Trimmer
said he has faith in the community to help
the Long Beach Salvation Army Corps to make
up for the losses through monetary donations
and/or new toys. For information, donors
can contact Trimmer at (562) 426-7637.
"We
need the help of the community," Trimmer
said. "I know that the community of
Long Beach has a very generous spirit."
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