Jay Hermacinsski
The Grinch hit early this year in Columbus. Someone broke into a warehouse and stole shopping carts full of toys. The toys were donated by the community. Columbus firefighters were collecting them and planned to hand them out to deserving children next month.
Volunteers dropped off a truckload of toys and clothes at a warehouse in Columbus on Monday. The generous donations comes at a particularly needy time. Over the weekend, someone broke in and stole dozens of toys.
"You always hear about the Grinch who stole Christmas. Whoever done it is kinda the Grinch to us," Leroy Armstrong with the Columbus Fire department said.
Shelves that were once full are now empty. The thief or thieves nearly cleaned out the cd players and boom boxes. Costly gifts to replace.
Whoever broke in stole more than just a handful of items. Firefighters say they got away with at least two shopping carts full of goods.
"It's rather disappointing because you're here to help other people and someone comes in and helps themselves," Scott Stam with the Columbus Fire department said.
The toys are part of the Columbus firefighter's Cheer Fund. Founded in 1930, the fund provides holiday gifts to needy children, 1,500 kids last year alone.
The firefighters can't understand how someone could steal from them.
"The money, the time is donated by the community. They're stealing not only from kids who get the toys but from everyone else," Armstrong said.
Disappointed, yes but still focused on the kids. The firefighters say they will work hard to replace the stolen toys. They won't let some Grinch take the cheer out of this years Christmas.
While Columbus Police are investigating the theft, firefighters are asking for more donations from the community to make up for the stolen goods.
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