Staff writer Leah Johnson reports:
A Dallas charity that helps homeless children is still smarting two weeks after a thief stole 160,000 diapers from its storage facility.
“We have our 25th anniversary Thursday, and then we had this happen,” said Jeanne Reyer, executive director for Captain Hope’s Kids.
The theft, first reported by Fox 4 News, happened Oct. 8 or 9. Surveillance video caught a man in red shorts making off with a load of diapers at the warehouse in North Dallas. The stolen diapers were worth more than $34,000.
Dallas police are still reviewing the footage and no arrest has been made.
Reyer was not sure if the charity’s insurance would cover the stolen merchandise, but a few others have come to their rescue.
“We have had quite a few people that are contacting us,” she said. “Kimberly-Clark will replace all the diapers. And Emmitt Smith Realty Partners and the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities are on their way over with diapers.”
Captain Hope’s Kids distributes more than 16,000 diapers a week and works with 44,000 children a year across North Texas. Its services have also extended to providing other goods to homeless children, such as school supplies, recreational activities and birthday gifts.
This week also marks a milestone for the organization. Thursday’s 25th anniversary will take place in the Dallas Design District. Captain Hope’s Kids will honor former SMU head football coach June Jones, and its celebration will feature appearances by actors Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin.
For more information on the event, or to donate to visit their website.