APOPKA, Fla. – Kevin and Crystal Fair have been collecting toys this month for “Baby DJ.”
It’s an organization that assists Central Florida families facing financial struggles, especially during the holiday season.
Kevin Fair is the general manager at the Apopka Chili’s on Semoran Boulevard. It serves as a drop-off location for Baby DJ.
Before he left the restaurant last Thursday, he noticed a big bag of toys in the drop-off box.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Kevin Fair said he always checks for new donations and clears toys from the box when it starts to overflow.
Before he got a chance to clear the box, he found out someone else did.
He said when he returned to the restaurant on Sunday, he learned someone had stolen the big bag of toys.
He and his wife Crystal Fair were devastated.
“I was destroyed,” Crystal Fair said. “I was like, ‘Why?’ I don’t understand why or how anyone could steal from a charity.”
Kevin Fair said the thief only left behind two toys.
“It was heartbreaking. Like, you know, where did these toys go? Who would take these toys from other kids?” Kevin Fair said.
This was an even bigger blow to Crystal Fair, who said Baby DJ is special to her.
“I was a single mom way back when, and there was a time when I was scraping by just to pay bills, so Christmas really wasn’t an option, and they were able to help me out and give my kids a really good holiday, and ever since that, it’s just been close to my heart,” Crystal Fair said.
The couple posted about the stolen toys on Facebook, and eager community members immediately decided to pitch in.
“I had a lady come in this morning and saw the post and was like, ‘I (want to) do something, and she brought three big bags of toys in, and there’s more people out there that are saying we want to do drop offs, and it’s great,” Kevin Fair said.
On top of that, Crystal Fair said students at Westpointe Elementary School, where she teaches, have even donated toys.
If you want to help, click here to find drop-off locations in your area.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: