PHOENIX - Approximately $20,000 worth of toys intended for children with special medical needs were stolen from a Phoenix hospital last month.
The toys, which were meant to be Christmas gifts for children with chronic and disabling medical conditions, vanished from a locked storage unit at the Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.
The toys were stored in a parking garage basement storage room. The garage can be accessed by the public. The items included everything from a Wii game to a popcorn maker and many other toys.
"Every year, Santa visits CRS to provide each patient with a toy," said Lori Takeuchi, child life coordinator at St. Joseph's CRS clinic, in a Wednesday news release.
"Many of our families find it difficult to visit with Santa out in the community due to respiratory viruses, cost and long lines, so CRS provides a safe and healthy environment for them to spend time with Santa," she said.
"And now, because of a real-life Grinch, we are worried that there may not be enough gifts for all of our patients to receive from Santa at St. Joseph's CRS this year."
The CRS staff is hoping the community will help replenish the toy supply before Santa's visit to the children in mid-December.
“We know the community will help,†said Takeuchi. “But stealing toys from these sick kids, that’s what really breaks your heart.â€
Toys for all ages are needed, in both English and Spanish.
The toys, which were meant to be Christmas gifts for children with chronic and disabling medical conditions, vanished from a locked storage unit at the Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.
The toys were stored in a parking garage basement storage room. The garage can be accessed by the public. The items included everything from a Wii game to a popcorn maker and many other toys.
"Every year, Santa visits CRS to provide each patient with a toy," said Lori Takeuchi, child life coordinator at St. Joseph's CRS clinic, in a Wednesday news release.
"Many of our families find it difficult to visit with Santa out in the community due to respiratory viruses, cost and long lines, so CRS provides a safe and healthy environment for them to spend time with Santa," she said.
"And now, because of a real-life Grinch, we are worried that there may not be enough gifts for all of our patients to receive from Santa at St. Joseph's CRS this year."
The CRS staff is hoping the community will help replenish the toy supply before Santa's visit to the children in mid-December.
“We know the community will help,†said Takeuchi. “But stealing toys from these sick kids, that’s what really breaks your heart.â€
Toys for all ages are needed, in both English and Spanish.
