Thief strikes local Special Olympics fundraiser
As if parents of special needs children don't face enough hardships, a thief has walked away with more than $1,000 worth of raffle items that were supposed to benefit a local Special Olympics team.
Volunteers realized something was amiss around 5 p.m. Saturday at the Seville banquet facility in Streamwood, just before 100 people arrived at a fundraiser for the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 organization.
"Did these people realize who they were stealing from? Did they have any clue?" parent Lisa Traina asked. "I hope not - otherwise society has sunk to a new low."
Traina's autistic eighth-grade son, Joey, is one of about 40 students who compete on District 15's bowling, basketball, snowshoeing, soccer, and track and field Special Olympics teams. Special Olympics is a year-round program of training and competition for adults and children with special needs.
There's no fee to participate, so the group relies completely on donations, aside from a District 15-funded stipend for the coach, adaptive physical education teacher Terri Storino. The group, which operates on an annual budget of $10,000 to $15,000, hoped to raise about $10,000 at the fundraiser.
Between equipment and bus rentals, the costs quickly accumulate. And next year the group will have to pay for hotel rooms at a basketball tournament at Illinois State University.
"We as parents want to support our children in every way possible," Traina said. "Special Olympics provides a bonding experience my son can't get at school."
According to a police report, the theft occurred sometime after 11 a.m. when volunteers began setting up for the event. Someone swiped three bottles of liquor and 13 gift certificates.
Seville owner Sam Romano said he was sickened by the news and donated gift certificates of his own worth $1,740 for upcoming Mother's Day and New Year's Eve celebrations. Unfortunately, they didn't sell.
Traina thought it was a nice gesture but said volunteers were told by staff they'd keep an eye on the room. Romano said he wishes someone with Special Olympics had told him when everyone left.
Streamwood police said they're investigating the incident, but it's a difficult case because more than 50 prospective clients were shown the room at some point. And there's no surveillance camera.
"Obviously, these thieves have no sense of morality or integrity," Deputy Police Chief Jim Keegan said.
For anyone interested in donating, checks can be issued to CCSD15 Special Olympics, c/o Marion Jordan School, 100 N. Harrison Ave., Palatine, IL 60067.