Community steps up to replace stolen Christmas toys
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SEATTLE -- With just two weeks until Christmas, it looked like hundreds of homeless kids in Seattle would be without hope after thieves stole hundreds of toys donated to them.
But dozens of KOMO viewers heard the cry for help and stepped up to the plate.
"Just the generosity of strangers. I seriously am going to cry again," said Nichelle Hilton of the East Cherry Street YWCA.
Those weren't always tears of joy. On Monday, YWCA staff members learned that someone had stolen 300 toys meant for hundreds of local homeless kid.
After seeing the story on KOMO News, strangers showed up in droves to help out. They opened their hearts and their checkbooks to make sure every child has a Christmas.
One man and his business gave $6,000, which is enough to replace every single stolen toy.
"I've always said we have a purpose on this earth, and that's to help mankind," said Redmond's Michael Pattison.
As Tuesday night went on, more and more people were calling the Central District shelter to see how they could help.
"We have proved to every person out there that good does win and Seattle has the biggest hearts and they won't stand for something like this to happen," Hilton said.
The shelter is now keeping its toys behind a locked door, a fence and an alarm system. The organization is still accepting toys at its East Cherry Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way location through December 21.
But dozens of KOMO viewers heard the cry for help and stepped up to the plate.
"Just the generosity of strangers. I seriously am going to cry again," said Nichelle Hilton of the East Cherry Street YWCA.
Those weren't always tears of joy. On Monday, YWCA staff members learned that someone had stolen 300 toys meant for hundreds of local homeless kid.
After seeing the story on KOMO News, strangers showed up in droves to help out. They opened their hearts and their checkbooks to make sure every child has a Christmas.
One man and his business gave $6,000, which is enough to replace every single stolen toy.
"I've always said we have a purpose on this earth, and that's to help mankind," said Redmond's Michael Pattison.
As Tuesday night went on, more and more people were calling the Central District shelter to see how they could help.
"We have proved to every person out there that good does win and Seattle has the biggest hearts and they won't stand for something like this to happen," Hilton said.
The shelter is now keeping its toys behind a locked door, a fence and an alarm system. The organization is still accepting toys at its East Cherry Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way location through December 21.
See the blue building in the background? It's where my grandparents lived in the Fifties. Nice to see the owners finally rebuilt the back stairway. I not only used to play in that yard, I also used to climb on top of the Y building during its construction. Dayum, I'm old! :)
I have lived in many different places....the Pacific NW is the only place where a community responds like this. Yes some sleazebag stole from children BUT it is here where people demonstrate what the character of this area is really all about. People who step in and commit selfless acts of kindness make me proud  to raise my family here.
 @schramalot It's not the only place. NJ/NY has been helping each other after 9/11, and now after Sandy. The whole country helped after Katrina. It's an American thing, not a Seattle thing.Â