HOLLISTER
Organizers of a boutique sale to raise funds for Emmaus House reported to authorities today that more than $1,000 in donated items set aside at the First Presbyterian Church on Friday night were missing this morning.
They had been setting up Friday for today’s 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. holiday boutique hosted by Women Helping Women. But they agreed to move aside their things to a nearby kitchen – a church representative later showed up and requested it – when a bridal shower group arrived for a Friday night gathering and alerted fundraiser organizers that the church apparently double-booked the facility, said Kathy Kessler, the fundraiser’s founder and chairwoman.
When boutique organizers arrived this morning at the church building, 2066 San Benito St., they found that many donated items for the boutique sale were missing that total more than $1,000 – such as clothing, purses and home supplies – among about $2,000 in items left there overnight.
Those donations to the shelter for battered women and children came from many residents and businesses. Kessler noted, for instance, how Ace Hardware had donated “really nice” pots and pans that were boxed up and ended up going missing.
“We’re doing a really good job out here raising awareness of domestic violence for women and the aftereffect as well on children,” Kessler said.
Rochelle Fischer, another organizer, said a San Benito County Sheriff’s Office deputy came out today and found there was no break-in at the church. Fischer called the apparent theft “sickening.”
A sheriff’s office watch commander on duty today did not immediately return a phone message from the Free Lance before publication.
When reached today, the church office secretary, Carol Terry, said she had not been informed of the incident and noted how a church representative wouldn’t be available until Monday.
The bridal shower group also could not be reached before publication.
Organizers had a goal of raising $5,000 from the fundraiser and today expected to finish with around $3,000, Kessler said.
“Considering these hard times, I was so surprised by the number of people who donated to our benefit,” she said.
Anyone wishing to donate to Emmaus House can call Kessler at 801-7473 or mail checks to Emmaus House, P.O. Box 1761, Hollister, 95024.
If you have information on the reported theft, call the sheriff’s office at 636-4080.
For an expanded version of this story, see Tuesday’s Free Lance.
