A long-term care home in Thornbury decided to go all-out for their outdoor Christmas display this year, hoping to bring some cheer to their residents.
So the theft and vandalism of the Errinrung Long-Term Care and Retirement Community's display has left them particularly peeved.
Overnight between Dec. 6 and 7, a suspect or suspects stole a family of light-up bears, two prancing deer, and three light-up trees. They also took extension cords and power bars and piled the Christmas inflatables into a stack on the lawn.
"There's literally a Grinch out there," said Leanne Haynes, executive director of Errinrung Long Term Care and Retirement Community. "The long-term care and retirement community has been through a lot already this year."
Because of the transmission risk and added cleaning requirements, there are very few Christmas decorations inside Errinrung. Anything that has been put up needs to be wipeable, and that means Christmas trees are outdoors only.
Haynes said staff were able to reset the inflatable decorations after scrounging for new cords and power bars, but there are empty spots in the displays where the stolen decorations once lit up the back courtyard.
"We set it up strategically so any resident could look out their window and see a light display," said Hayes, noting the home spent about $2,000 on the displays this year.
"We went crazy with all of these displays," she said. "So it's really concerning and disheartening to see this [theft]."
Errinrung is located in Thornbury in The Blue Mountains. Hayes said it's unusual to see a theft such as this one in the community, and she wants people to be on the lookout.
The home will not be accepting any cash donations, but they wouldn't say no to some more outdoor holiday lights and decor along with some volunteers to set them up.
You can call 519-599-2737 to arrange a donation.
Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP are investigating the incident. Constable Martin Hachey said OPP is trying to get video footage and they are asking anyone with information on the theft to contact the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP at 705-445-4321 or call Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip.
