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Donations to Metropolitan Ministries surge after theft of trailer full of toys and food

 
Published Dec. 18, 2015

LAND O'LAKES — After someone stole a trailer full of toys and food donated to Metropolitan Ministries' annual holiday charity drive this week, a spokesman for the group made a prediction: the Tampa Bay area will rally behind us.

That's exactly what happened. Offers to help have poured in since the pilfered trailer made headlines this week, including a story in the Tampa Bay Times.

Former state House Speaker Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel tweeted a link to the story Friday morning.

"So sad!" he wrote. "I'll match any gift up to $2000. Who wants to help?"

By 10:30, more than a dozen people had pledged a total of about $2,500, including former state Rep. Seth McKeel of Lakeland and Tampa's state Rep. Dana Young. The effort hit the $9,000 mark before noon.

"I think many people who saw the story were saddened by it and felt sick to their stomachs that someone would steal a trailer full of toys for disadvantaged children," Weatherford said.

The outpouring is vaulting Metropolitan Ministries far ahead of where it was before the theft.

The Tampa personal injury law firm Winters and Yonker wrote a $4,500 check to cover the estimated value of the toys and food, said charity spokesman Shawn LaFata. Another man pledged his Christmas bonus to the group.

"This community is just awesome," LaFata said. "We're humbled and grateful."

The trailer was stolen overnight Wednesday from Keystone Community Church, on State Road 54 near U.S. 41 in Lutz. The church had been collecting the items since Thanksgiving and the toys were supposed to be delivered this weekend.

The agency hadn't experienced a similar theft since the 1990s and officials were worried about collecting enough toys for about 19,000 children and food to feed about 10,000 people during the holidays. It had been about 6,000 toys off-pace with a week to go before Christmas. They were especially short on toys for teenagers and infants.

The surge in donations has put the group on track not only to meet the goal, but to also help the church replace its trailer, LaFata said. It was valued at about $2,500, the same amount as the church's insurance deductible, he said.

"They've been a great partner throughout the years and we don't want them to be disgruntled by this experience," he said.

Families have been visiting the group's Holiday Tent distribution sites in Pasco and Hillsborough counties throughout the week. After going through a quick background check to determine their need — often an unemployment check or food stamps will serve as proof — families can go through the tents to pick out food and toys for the holiday.

Weatherford said he hopes the flood of donations he unleashed will reach $15,000.

"God can do some amazing thing, and the fact that a stolen trailer can turn into a net positive for children and families is an amazing thing," he said shortly before hopping on a plane to New Hampshire to campaign for former Gov. Jeb Bush's presidential bid. "Who knows? Maybe I can get a donation out of him while I'm there."

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Pasco Sheriff's Office deputies are investigating the theft. Call (800) 706-2488 with any information.

Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374. Follow @tmarrerotimes.