Good Samaritan Steps Up After Charity Donations Stolen
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After a thief stole more than $2,000 in donations to charity, a women's group that raised the money got a surprise gift from a Good Samaritan who wanted to replace the lost funds.
Every two years, the Chicago Women Charity Players put on a production as a fundraiser, designating the proceeds for a different charity each time. On Sunday night, they staged a production of "The Music Man," according to Sandy Aberman.
"We get together and work for three months to put on a production to raise money for an area charity," she said.
After the play, one of the organization's leaders put the money raised in a lockbox in her car, and parked for a few minutes at Devon and Sacramento. When she got back, someone had smashed the window of the car, and stolen the $2,000 in cash donations, along with checks and credit card receipts.
"Times are tough for a lot of people, but when you take from a charity, it's awful," Aberman said.
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Aberman said the money was supposed to go to the Libenu Foundation, a charity that runs group homes for mentally-challenged young adults.
The Charity Players had contacted donors who used credit cards, telling them to cancel their cards. They also asked donors if they could give again.
Hannah Belsky said, after WBBM Newsradio aired the group's story, they got a call from a stranger.
"He heard the story, and he's a charitable gentleman, and he tries to help people, and the story really tugged at his heart," she said.
So attorney Bob Lattas, of Oak Brook, donated $3,000 to more than replace the cash that was taken.
"This is what I think anybody should do. Maybe not being able to subsidize the entire cost of whatever was taken, but help support a cause in which people donate all of their time," Lattas said.
Belsky said the thief made her cry. Now, Lattas has made her cry again by his generosity.
You can donate to the Libenu Foundation through the Charity Players' Crowdrise fundraising page.
