MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Silver Springs Shores Branch of the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County was burglarized twice this year. The latest happened over the weekend.
CEO April Savarese said it’s difficult to find out who did it because they don’t have any surveillance video.
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Savarese said thieves broke in and stole 10 laptops, computers the kids use to do school work.
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“It’s frustrating, but it really hurts my heart to know that people are taking away, not just from kids, but from kids who need it the most,” said Savarese. “When we take away those tools we use to foster that growth and academic success, it impacts them greatly.”
Savarese said the thieves also got away with the club’s PlayStation 3 game system. She said the laptops were recently replaced after the club was burglarized back in February. Their club van was also stolen in that first burglary and later recovered. She said the organization has been struggling financially, losing donors because of the pandemic.
“It’s no secret we have had some financial challenges, especially this year with COVID and to know that we don’t have a lush reserve account to turn to, to replace everything. It saddens me that really who’s suffering ... our kids,” said Savarese.
The Silver Springs Shores branch of the Boys & Girls Club serves about 100 members in the community, many of the kids from low-income families. Savarese said despite the loss of resources, they will continue to be a safe haven for kids in Marion County.
“We’re all very hurt that this has happened, but we also have a very resilient staff and group of membership and they’re like ‘we’ll figure it out,’” said Savarese.
They are hoping through this season of giving, the community will come together to help replace the items that were stolen.
Click here https://bgcofmarion.com/contribute/ or call (352) 690-7519.