Thieves steal donated Christmas toys meant for Atlanta children in need

Burglars left in a hurry after volunteers returned to Focused Community Strategies mid-heist, but got away with donated toys meant for children in need. Photo used with permission.

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Burglars left in a hurry after volunteers returned to Focused Community Strategies mid-heist, but got away with donated toys meant for children in need. Photo used with permission.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. Or Grinches.

Someone broke into offices of Focused Community Strategies and stole between 150 and 200 donated toys meant for kids in Historic South Atlanta just days before a community Christmas event. Organization president Jim Wehner said volunteers just missed encountering the bandits.

"We had been out at a toy drive on Sunday and we were bringing the toys back," he said. "We came in the front door. They had broken in the back door. We actually interrupted them."

The toys were being stored for FCS' annual Pride For Parents Christmas event, where parents in the neighborhood are able to come in and "shop" for their children. The event is this Saturday, and the organization is praying for new donations to replace the stolen ones.