[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here.]

Let me propose we do something.  I was watching on the news when I heard someone mention this story:

The pastor of Earthen Vessels in Kings Mountain found eight bikes and boxes of toys stolen Saturday morning.

Pastor Roger Woodard said he visited the group’s storage facility this morning and found the door partially open.

“This empty area you see right here was full of toys and bicycles,” Woodard said.

Earthen Vessels expected to help more than 300 needy families. Because of the theft, the group could not help them all.

“It comes at a very bad time. It came right before the distribution, so it’s kind of disheartening,” Woodard said.

Police said they do not have any suspects.

Volunteers hope to round up enough bikes and toys in the coming days to get them to families that were expecting them.

If you would like to help you can get in touch with Earthen Vessels at: Earthen Vessels PO Box 396 Kings Mountain, NC 28086 704-739-4520

[Update: The youth minister wrote back, gave this address: 1818 Shelby Rd., Kings mountain NC  28086]

Now the good news so far is that a lot of toys have poured in—apparently more than had been stolen.  But I say why not send them a few more?  They seem like nice people, helping out people in need.  So please consider a donation.

I imagine that with this sort of thing, you want to send a pre-manufactured toy, unwrapped.  And indeed, you might even use the information on this contact page to ask them, what do you need that you don’t have?  I’ll actually email them tonight and let you know what the response is.

But do consider it.  And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that if you like this site, Patterico could always use a donation, nice and sweet on the side.

Update: Got an email from the pastor, here’s his response:

Thank you for your contact.  It is heartening that you would think of us to assist.  Thanks to the area news media, individuals and entities in surrounding communities have responded and we have recouped our losses.  We are now busy preparing a second distribution and contacting families we were unable to add to our list before the theft.  We distribute food every 3rd Sat & have for over nine years.  At Christmas we include toys and we also respond to disasters (i.e. Haiti, Katrina etc.)and local needs through out the year.

Should anyone wish to donate , “Earthen Vessels”, P.O. Box 396, Kings Mountain, NC 28086     Phone 704-739-4520.

Of course, we will be happy to accept toy gifts etc. & will see that they get into the hands of children that need them.  Though FWC administers this charity, EV is a stand alone charity with separate bank account.  Their is no commingling of funds & not one cent is spent for administration costs.

Everything goes to the charity.

God bless you & yours & have a Merry Christmas,

Roger R. Woodard
Senior Pastor
Family Worship Center
Kings Mountain, NC

[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]