BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Salvation Army, a charitable organization that is already struggling to get enough donations this year, was hit with a brazen theft in Whatcom County Tuesday afternoon.
Chase Tomberlin-Green, administrator of the Salvation Army in Whatcom County, said the bell ringer who was overseeing the iconic, red donation kettle at the Fred Meyer on Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, was threatened by a man who approached her and took the kettle and its stand.
"They just picked up everything, loaded it up into their car, and drove away," said Tomberlin-Green.
The bell ringer was a young woman in a wheelchair who has been bell ringing for the Salvation Army for years. Tomberlin-Green said the bell ringer was not physically attacked, but shaken up.
"She's definitely a bit frightened," said Tomberlin-Green. "I mean, anytime someone threatens you, to hurt you, then rob you, that's pretty scary. So she's definitely pretty terrified."
The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) is investigating the theft, which was reported to them shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday. The suspect was described as a white male in his 20s. He was wearing a Santa Claus hat at the time, according to BPD Lt. Claudia Murphy. The suspect drove off in a champagne-colored sedan.
Tomberlin-Green said after speaking with witnesses, the suspect appeared to take the kettle upon seeing someone else drop a large donation.
"They said a bundle of $100 bills," he said.
The Salvation Army serves up to 900 children in Whatcom County with toys and food during the holiday season as communities like Everson are still recovering from historic flooding.
"For someone to take the money for themselves, essentially they take that from others who really desperately need it," said Tomberlin-Green. "So that's really hard on us, and really hard on our bell ringers who've been doing this for years."
Despite the setback, the Salvation Army will keep ringing its bells through the season of giving.
"If anyone who comes with a need, we're going to do our best to absolutely help them," said Tomberlin-Green.