Thieves Steal from Children at Community Center
By: Deedra Wilson, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 25, 2012
Thieves stealing from kids in Jefferson County.
The Chester Hynes Community Center in Pine Bluff was robbed of all its sports and office equipment.
And with basketball season just around the corner the center will have about 200 kids show up to play.
So now Chester Hynes needs the community, in order to make this a great season and so the kids can study.
Lois Strawn heard about what happened and stopped by to help the center out.
"I wanted to contribute as much as I could," said Strawn.
She donated a fax machine.
"Such a sad situation because they lost so much," added Strawn.
"It was jagged out where they had punched the wall, explains Community Center Director Laura Hildreth.
She said thieves broke into the building recently and stole athletic and office equipment - totaling more than $3,000.
"I cried! I only had one computer, I needed a lot more," said Hildreth.
She said she doesn't understand.
"They see we are doing renovations on the building to make it beautiful, why would someone come and do this?"
Thieves even stole exercise equipment, worth more than $400.
"We're not asking for a lot, we're not asking for the high posh," said Hildreth.
Just enough she says so kids in the Pine Bluff community will have a safe, fun and educational place to call their own.
Lois Strawn understands what that means.
"I just can't fathom someone doing something like that to an organization," said Strawn.
The Chester Hynes Community Center in Pine Bluff was robbed of all its sports and office equipment.
And with basketball season just around the corner the center will have about 200 kids show up to play.
So now Chester Hynes needs the community, in order to make this a great season and so the kids can study.
Lois Strawn heard about what happened and stopped by to help the center out.
"I wanted to contribute as much as I could," said Strawn.
She donated a fax machine.
"Such a sad situation because they lost so much," added Strawn.
"It was jagged out where they had punched the wall, explains Community Center Director Laura Hildreth.
She said thieves broke into the building recently and stole athletic and office equipment - totaling more than $3,000.
"I cried! I only had one computer, I needed a lot more," said Hildreth.
She said she doesn't understand.
"They see we are doing renovations on the building to make it beautiful, why would someone come and do this?"
Thieves even stole exercise equipment, worth more than $400.
"We're not asking for a lot, we're not asking for the high posh," said Hildreth.
Just enough she says so kids in the Pine Bluff community will have a safe, fun and educational place to call their own.
Lois Strawn understands what that means.
"I just can't fathom someone doing something like that to an organization," said Strawn.
