It probably wasn’t the Dr. Seuss character himself, but someone very-Grinch like is believed to have stolen over $6,000 worth of gifts for needy kids from a Seattle toys for kids program.
Last week employees at a YWCA in Seattle purchased $6,250 worth of gifts at Toys ‘R’ Us, which were intended to brighten the Christmases of 250 homeless kids. The toys were being stored in an unused unit at the homeless shelter while they waited for a truck. But when Nichelle Hilton, who works at the YWCA’s East Cherry Branch, went to check on the toys on Monday, they were gone — and all of the boxes had been torn to shreds, Hilton told ABCNews.com.
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“We’ve confirmed with everyone that the doors were locked,” Hilton told ABC News. “There are no signs, but all doors were wide open yesterday morning. We spent everything last week — the core 99.9 percent of the toys that were going to help all of the families.” The toys were purchased with funds from the Rick Rizzs Toys for Kids program, established by the Seattle Mariners’ longtime sports announcer. The organization’s website promises that all of the stolen toys will be replaced in time for the YWCA’s holiday party. The shelter, located at 2820 E. Cherry St. in Seattle, is accepting toys for children ages 0 to 19 until Dec. 21 at noon.
“I’m totally numb,” Hilton told KOMO News. “I’m in total disbelief that someone would take toys before Christmas from homeless children. I mean, who does that?”
The police are looking for a suspect whose heart is undoubtedly two sizes too small.
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