Thieves took seven large bikes along with countless toys, new clothes, shoes, and bags of new blankets days ahead of the Catholic Charities of Santa María’s Christmas toy distribution.
A worker arrived Tuesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall on South McClelland Street and found bikes tipped over plus bags filled with toys ready for families instead ripped open. There also were other signs that someone had illegally entered the building.
Multiple officers from the Santa Maria Police Department arrived at the scene, where they deployed a drone to check the building for an intruder. However, no one was found inside the structure.
No arrests had been made as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.
The toys had been donated by the community through the Toys for Tots campaign.
“We do this every year for families who do not have the means to buy toys for their children. It’s important that children experience joy and happiness and that parents are supported,” said Ruth Sherrill, client resource coordinator for the local nonprofit organization.
About 50 families were slated to receive donations, but the organization had a waiting list.
“It is disappointing that wicked people would try to steal the smiles from children and families in need,” added Paola Oros, a CalFresh Healthy Living nutrition educator who was starting to prepare for the Thursday event.
Gifts, including sports equipment and other items, had already been bagged awaiting distribution to previously screened families. Organizers now must scramble to unravel the disarray left behind to salvage the giveaway.
Donations can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday plus 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at 507 S. McClelland St.
Catholic Charities in Santa María provides services to the poor and vulnerable, promoting human dignity and advocating for social justice.
For more than 60 years, the program has provided services to North Santa Barbara County, including Casmalia, the Cuyama Valley, Garey, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Orcutt, Santa Maria, Sisquoc, Tanglewood and the Tepusquet Canyon.
Of the seven Catholic Charities programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, Catholic Charities in Santa María provides help to the largest number of unduplicated clients, the organization said.
To support the local program, donations may be mailed to Catholic Charities in Santa María, 232 N. Benwiley Ave., Santa Maria, CA 93458.