MARGATE, FLA. (WSVN) - The owner of a thrift store in Margate has been left reeling after a trailer she had filled with donated items was stolen and later found with the contents either missing or with damage that won’t allow them to be sold.
Abby Mosher, the owner of Tomorrow’s Rainbow Thrift and Gift Store at 5444 West Sample Road, said a trailer filled with charity items was taken from the business Saturday night.
The truck was loaded with donations set to be sold at the nonprofit store that supports the poor and children who have lost a loved one such as a parent.
The nonprofit allows children to play with miniature horses, provides peer support and therapy free of cost at a farm in Coconut Creek.
“Our thrift store gives us the opportunity to raise those funds,” Mosher said. “We actually have to raise $1,200 for every child that we support for a year at Tomorrow’s Rainbow. We receive no government funding.”
It was found in Lauderhill, Monday morning.
“This is a big financial hit. The trailer with its contents is probably enough to support a group of grieving children of 12 for an entire year,” said Mosher. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that one in 14 children in Florida are gonna have a parent or sibling die by the time they reach 18 years of age. Those children need support in order to have a resilient, successful, healthy future.”
Over the weekend, she said the loss struck her to her core.
“I’m devastated. The trailer has been there for several years,” she said. “The community tries to support us and make sure that the store is profitable so that we can help the children, and now I’m just not even exactly sure what we’re gonna do.”
Mosher said this is the busiest time of year for the store.
“I’m just not exactly sure what we’re gonna do,” Mosher said.
However, another charity has already decided to step up and help.
Members of the Parkland Cares foundation assisted by giving the thrift store a grant.
“When I heard about the trailer, I immediately thought that something has to be done, and we have to help,” said Executive Director Stacey Udine.
Parkland Cares was founded after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting with a goal of providing resources to those seeking mental health counseling.
“Our mission is to fund mental health programs and create awareness for those programs,” board member April Lewis-Parks said, “so that’s why we’re really dedicated to Tomorrow’s Rainbow.”
The grant gives the thrift store a community match of up to $25,000.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Mosher said, “taking lemons and making lemonade out of them in our community that has suffered so much. Yesterday I wasn’t sure how we were gonna get through the holiday season, and I have so much hope for 2019.”
To donate items, you are welcome to drop them off at the store.
For donations to help match the grant, you are asked visit parklandcares.org.
If you have any information on this theft, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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