CALIFORNIA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB RECEIVES DONATIONS AFTER THEFT North County Times - Coastal - Boys & Girls Club receives donations after theft Boys & Girls Club receives donations after theftBy: STACY BRANDT - Staff Writer
VISTA ---- Community donations have raised some spirits at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista after a Thanksgiving-day break-in at the club, officials said.
Corporate and private donors have given the club several computers and about $1,750 in cash since Nov. 24, when at least two people entered the club shortly after 2 a.m. and stole one desktop computer, two laptop computers and two digital cameras, said Peggy Reiber, executive director of the club. In total, the equipment was work about $2,800, she said.

After reading about the burglary, Vista resident Mark Boucher decided to buy the club a new desktop computer. He called Reiber to get the specifics on the stolen computer and ordered the club a faster one with double the memory.

"At this time of the year, giving is way more important than receiving," Boucher said Thursday, "so to give something back makes me feel good."

The club actually ended up with more computers than it had before the break-in. The extra computers will replace old and broken ones, Reiber said. Any extra money will go toward replacing the club's 14-year-old van.

"It was just a great reminder of all of the support we get from the community," Reiber said.

The thieves took with them about a year's worth of children's work that was stored in the desktop computer. It was equipped with special programs for digital video and photography projects the children were working on for a video-making contest in January, said Kevin Rodriguez, the club's community outreach manager.

"Basically they have to start over," Rodriguez said. The children will still have time to complete the projects, he said. All of the computers and programs are expected to be up and running this week.

Taylor Walters was one of the children who lost work when the computer was stolen.

"It's mean," Walters said about the burglary. "It's rude, and it's not fair to us."

Athena Menchaca, who also lost work, said it felt good to know that people were generous enough to help the club after the burglary. Both Menchaca and Walters said they look forward to starting their projects again.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the burglary.

At this point in the investigation, detectives hope the public will offer additional information to help the department track down the culprits, Sgt. Roy Castaneda said.

The burglary from the club's library at 410 W. California Ave. was recorded by a security camera, which showed that between two and four people entered the library through a window, Rodriguez said.

Though the children and club staff initially dwelled on the negative aspects of the burglary, Reiber said the donations have helped create a positive focus.

"While the circumstances were negative and frustrating," Reiber said, "the response has turned this into a holiday magic story."

Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 631-6622 or sbrandt@nctimes.com