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Whitby pub foils Grinch

Monday 17 December 2007 at 11:33 am Neither sleet, nor snow, nor any mean Grinch was going to steal Christmas from children in Whitby this holiday season.

Staff and patrons of Hunter's Horn Pub were so determined to deliver cheer after a miserly theft, they tripled their donations and braved a snowstorm to hold a planned Yule party for 29 disadvantaged youngsters yesterday. After hearing the sad tale of burglars pinching the nickel-and-dime donation jug that was holding upwards of $8,000 for the annual party, the community responded with an outpouring of generosity to ensure the event would go ahead anyway.

Children ages 3 to 14 and their families were showered with treats, including a buffet lunch, turkey from Sobeys, gifts, a stocking, a stuffed animal and a brand new bike – donated by the Police Retirees of Ontario.

More than $22,000 was raised as regulars collected money from work and sports teams, or dropped by to swipe in donations with a credit card.

"I'd like to say thank you to all those people – every single person that donated money. I can't believe it happened," said 13-year-old Sara Fadl, who attended the party with her mother.

Sara and her mother faced icy roads and heavy, whirling snowflakes during their slow, careful drive to the pub.

"If the party didn't happen, all these kids wouldn't have these memories, these presents... . (the party) remind them what Christmas is all about," she said.

When it was discovered burglars used a sledgehammer to break into the pub and nab the cash jar, devastated staff feared the party was in jeopardy.

Instead, the pub was filled with delighted children who were awed by a metre-high pile of gifts and Santa's jingling bells.

"It was a terrible thing that happened, but so much good has come out of it," pub manager Carol Preston said.

The remaining money will go to the Salvation Army, which also supplied the list of children to invite to the party, to help the church agency complete its 400 holiday food hampers.

Police are still investigating the robbery, Preston said. Used tags: christmas, grinch
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