Akron church pleads for donations to save Christmas for poor after heartless toy theft

AKRON, OH (WOIO) - It was a job so big at the First Apostolic Faith Church that even Santa and his elves would have needed more help.

Traci Higginbottom Williams reached out on Facebook asking people to lend a hand in packing gifts for Toys for Tots.

Families showed up to bag up toys for needy families, but there were at least three volunteers who did the unspeakable.

Instead of helping out, surveillance video showed volunteers stealing donated toys.

Williams couldn’t believe it.

“To take from them and not be able to give to some of those kids, it hurts,” she said.

The thieves removed expensive toys, like 16 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle play sets that sell for $100 apiece.

They took toys from their packaging, and placed them in boxes meant for the garbage.

“I felt that the public needed to know what happened, and maybe we can have some of those generous people bring us some toys and replace what was lost,” said Sheri Reed.

Thousands of dollars of toys were taken, meaning some needy children may not get toys on Christmas.

“I hope they bust hell wide open, and later I’ll ask God to forgive me. Right now, I’m astonished because how can you steal from kids,” said Williams.

Now, the church is scrambling to save Christmas for the poor.

Anyone who is interested in donating toys to the church can find more information at this link.

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