WASHINGTON — Wal-Mart has stepped in to help bring back Christmas for needy local children after gifts were stolen from a warehouse rented by the Salvation Army in Southeast D.C.
The retailer has provided a $20,000 donation to help offset the cost of replacing the stolen toys, clothes and bicycles, said Ken Forsythe, a Salvation Army spokesman.
The bagged presents were discovered stolen Saturday morning — just days before the Angel Tree gifts were set to be delivered.
“We hope to be completely ready for Thursday morning,” Forsythe says. That’s when the Salvation Army plans to begin distributing the packages to families who have signed up for help, benefiting about 6,000 children this year.
A group of teens are believed to be responsible for stealing the presents.
Police are still searching for three of the five teens involved in the burglary. Two of the teens were arrested Saturday and charged with burglary.
Want to help? Donate through WTOP’s Virtual Red Kettle to benefit the Salvation Army.
