THE Carrum Downs Salvation Army Corps is bouncing back strongly after a heartless robbery.
There was a break in at one of their storage containers and bicycles were stolen. The bikes were intended to be given to in need children for Christmas.
An outpouring of community support has followed, and locals have got behind the Salvos and helped them get back on their feet.
“A couple of weeks ago from our storage container we had some brand new bikes still in boxes stolen,” Salvation Army volunteer Meaghan Grist said.
“The week before Christmas we have a couple of hundred families come through the Salvos Church, and we distribute toys. These bikes were supposed to be for that.”
Ms Grist said the Salvation Army Corps had been overwhelmed at how the community has reacted to the theft.
“We’ve had quite a few second hand bikes donated that we’re hoping to get a bike shop to service for the kids. We’ve replaced nine bikes with brand new bikes, they’ll be allocated at Christmas to families in need,” she said.
“This is the fourth robbery in two years at the same place, so a company has also come in and installed $2000 of CCTV for us.
“There’s been a huge outpouring. We’ve had scooters and bikes, there’s also been donations made at the Frankston Sunday market. It seems to be going on and on. As sad and heartbreaking as it was, there’s been a bit of a silver lining.”
The theft has been reported to the police, who are investigating the matter.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army by visiting them at 1265 Frankston-Dandenong Road.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 7 November 2018