The Grinch is alive and well in Thunder Bay.
On Thursday night she struck the Salavation Army Christmas Kettle campaign’s counting centre, making off with about stack of bills worth about $490.
“Last night we were shaken that someone would actually come in and steal money from the kettle counting centre,” said Mervyn Halvorsen, the local organization’s executive director said on Friday morning.
“It’s really sad that things would happen like this at this time of year, but it happens across the country.”
According to Halvorsen, staff were counting money from the kettles when a woman arrived looking for information. As they turned to deal with the request, the suspect grabbed the cash and fled.
“There were no weapons of any kind used. There were five ladies at the centre and no one was injured. But it was a scary experience for them,” said Halvorsen, who for security reasons chose not to disclose the location of the counting house.
The charity is in the midst of its annual fundraising drive, this year seeking $150,000. To date they’ve collected nearly $95,000 of that total, with kettles scheduled to be manned until Christmas Eve.
Halvorsen said he’s confident Thursday’s theft is just a blip, and won’t affect their ability to hit their annual target.
“We’re looking forward to the days that remain before Christmas so we can help even more of the neighbours here in Thunder Bay,” he said.
“We’re looking to Thunder Bay to help us recover that and in your kindness and donations and your time at the kettles.”
He noted there are still volunteer times available between now and Christmas Eve, and encouraged the public to come out and lend a hand to ensure their goal is met.
The organization made a plea to the thief to realized the error of his ways and return the money to the charity.
“We would request your prayers for those who were counting the money at the time of the incident and also for the person who chose to steal the money that they would understand what they have done and return it so that others could enjoy their Christmas this year,” said Gail Kromm, the public relations representative for the Ontario Great Lakes Division of the Salvation Army.
