Thief can't steal Christmas joy
Ashley West plays with a small Christmas gift next to her family’s tree Tuesday evening. On Dec. 12, all of the family’s gifts were stolen from the family’s vehicle. The community has responded with donations of replacement gifts.
From left are the West children: Rhyan, 13, Joshua, 6, and Ashley, 7.
After all of her children’s Christmas presents were stolen two weeks ago, Liana West didn’t think she would be able to replace them.
“I was upset,” said West, a single mother of three. “My little one was like, ‘Maybe we’ll still get something from Santa.’ I didn’t know what to tell him.”
But it was the community, not Santa, that pulled together to replace what a Grinch had stolen from the West family’s Christmas.
Members of the Whitefish Police Department, Tally Lake Forest Service district, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Semitool Inc., Muldown Elementary School and a few anonymous donors were among those who replaced the Easy Bake Ovens, Zhu Zhu Pets, Barbie dolls and other presents intended for Ashley, 7, Joshua, 6, and Rhyan, 13.
“The community response has been overwhelming and wonderful,” said the 34-year-old West, smiling from ear to ear. “So many people care. I’m really appreciative. When I found out, I was laughing and smiling. It was such a turnaround from being so disappointed.”
The night of Dec. 12, someone broke into West’s car and stole all of her children’s Christmas presents.
West had purchased the gifts just hours before, leaving them in her Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in her Somers Avenue driveway as she waited for an opportunity to sneak them inside without her children seeing.
Cheery-looking Somers Avenue, lined with well-kept-up smaller homes, doesn’t seem like an area that would be a hotbed of crime.
But this December, according to Whitefish Assistant Police Chief Mike Ferda, there have been 16 vehicle break-ins in Whitefish, a majority in the Somers Avenue area.
The still-unknown suspect damaged some cars, but a majority of the vehicles burglarized, including West’s, were unlocked. Judging from footprints in the snow, it appears the lone suspect was on foot.
Police still are investigating. “Break-ins go in cycles,” said Ferda, adding that some of the victims were hit more than once.
A few days ago, West found wipe marks in the condensation on the windows of her vehicle, which she now keeps locked. Police said it probably was the thief looking to strike again. Police urge people to keep valuables out of cars and to keep doors locked.
“A lot of people have stuff stolen,” said Ferda, “but what touched us was the kid aspect. We wanted to do what we could to get those gifts replaced.”
“My first-graders talked about helping,” said Dana Grove, Joshua’s teacher, after seeing West’s name in the paper and mentioning it to her class.
“They must have gone home and said something, because I got calls from some generous parents who wanted to help,” Grove said.
Some parents dropped off gifts and others gave money, which school counselor Diana Graham used to buy additional presents.
And according to the grateful West, thanks to the thoughtful community, her children will have a very nice Christmas.
According to a letter of thanks West wrote to the community:
“My family and I will never forget your selflessness and generosity in how you took it upon yourselves to make a sad event and turn it into a blessing from God for all of us. I hope to pay it forward and teach my children the same as they grow up. We will never forget you and your kindness and this amazing Christmas story.”
Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com