Fulton, Kansas: Thieves Clear out Toys for Tots

The Fulton Police Department alongside the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation coordinators are working to investigate who broke into the group's storage unit on Tuesday.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an organization that gives toys to children in need in nine counties in the Columbia area.

A statement released by the organizations coordinator, Melissa Barnes, revealed that the recent theft is disturbing, since the holidays are almost here. Barnes released a statement saying that, "It's heartbreaking. It's frustrating that this person decided to steal from children who already don't have a lot,'.

The noble organization started collecting the stored toys back in January and hoped to have enough to give out to the 6,000 to 10,000 children it collects for in the Columbia area.

Dannie Weddle, who was the former Toys for Tots Coordinator revealed that it's important to understand the work that goes into providing for those who happen to be in need of the organizations help.

"We don't do this to glorify ourselves, we do this because giving to these families is important," Weddle said. "You always get that one family that comes in and you remember why you started doing this in the first place.

A statement released by Barnes revealed that officials from the storage facility contacted her shortly after the theft had been carried out.

"It's heartbreaking. I got the phone call and when I got there, I found that 12 huge boxes had been taken," Barnes said. "They tore into them and whatever is left, a lot of it's damaged."

Harold Faughn is also a coordinator for Toys for Tots. He said about 75 percent of what they've collected since January is now gone.

"I'm shocked. I don't understand how you can take that much from a child like that," Faughn said.

The group is hoping that the community will step up to help fill the gap in toys left by the incident.

"At this point we just need help, we need people to go to our website and help us because we are doing our best to provide for these kids and we will," Barnes said.

Source:

http://www.komu.com/news/thieves-break-into-toys-for-tots-storage-unit