Presents stolen from Indian community

A Grinch of the human kind has hit south Carson City.

More than 100 toys, clothing and hygiene products intended for children living in Stewart Indian Colony have been stolen.

Packages delivered by UPS to the parish home for Eagle Valley Church and Tahoe Indian Ministries were taken from the service porch over the past four weeks.

"Beginning in mid-November, Overland White Cross Ministries of the American Baptist Church sends toys to the church to give to the children on the reservations and anyone else in need," said Terry Boice, who is distributing the toys this year.

"Jason (May) went to the house to check on it and noticed the light in the service porch was burned out. He looked inside and noticed the boxes were opened."

The home is usually occupied by the church's minister and family. The Rev. Randy Woodley was called to minister in Tennessee in October and the church has been without a minister since then, leaving the home vacant. The event was handled by Woodley's wife, Edith.

"The sad part is, we usually hand out the toys and have a dinner after church for Christmas for the whole community," said May, who is a member of the church.

"Now what are we going to tell the kids? How do you explain something like this? They're going to come in here Sunday and we're not going to have anything for them."

Boice said she and May have salvaged what toys and clothing they could from the boxes that were opened. The parish home was also broken into and some of the boxes were taken inside and opened up.

"I went inside the home to use the washer and dryer," said Boice. "That's when I noticed there were more opened packages (inside). We've moved the toys to the 'Baby's Closet,' inside the parish hall. There's really not that much left here. Most of what we have is from last year.

"And we not only give toys to the kids of the reservation, but others, also. We have one lady who's living in a motel with three kids, we're going to help her out, and another child whose father is incarcerated."

May and Boice said a mattress set that used to be in the living room of the home has been moved to a bedroom. Also, toothpaste, a towel and other items have appeared in the house, possibly used by a transient or homeless person.

The church is in need of clothing, toothpaste, hair care products and toys for about 20 children ages 8 and older, to mid-teens. Diapers for infants and toddlers are also needed.

To help out, call May at 884-4361.