(BCN) – A Palo Alto organization that helps people with disabilities lost some important equipment in a burglary last week, a spokeswoman for the organization said.
The theft of tents, sleeping bags, dishes, pots, pans, folding chairs and other gear from a shed at Abilities United at 525 E. Charleston Road was discovered Tuesday.
A staff person went to the shed to take inventory to prepare for a June camping trip and found the lock gone.
A majority of the valuable things were gone too, spokeswoman Wendy Kuehnl said.
She said the burglar or burglars nearly wiped out the shed’s contents.
“It’s a very unfortunate situation,” Kuehnl said. The loss is estimated at $1,600.
Abilities United was founded in 1963 and serves people as young as three months old. The organization also serves adults and others through the end of their lives, Kuehnl said.
The group hosts a camping trip two to four times a year and it is one of the highlights for people served by the group.
“I think it’s one of the activities they look forward to the most,” Kuehnl said.
She said it’s a chance to be in nature, to be away from home, to be with peers and have a sense of independence. Thirty to 50 people go on the June trip.
Although the theft is unfortunate, some people have responded with donations.
“It’s turning into a heartwarming experience,” Kuehnl said.
People have dropped off used camping gear and made financial donations, though the group still needs some more camping equipment.
“We’re well on our way,” she said.
The group has received some tents and sleeping bags and a stove, but it needs more tents and sleeping bags.