Nonprofit scrambles to help hundreds of kids after thieves steal Christmas gifts

WEST DEPTFORD, N.J. (WPVI) -- A nonprofit is scrambling to replace hundreds of Christmas gifts after burglars stole toys meant for local children.

"I want children to be able to wake up Christmas morning and see Christmas presents under the Christmas tree," said Brenda Gonzalez, who founded Wheels of Change in West Deptford, which provides toys and essentials to needy families.

Her organization was preparing gifts for 628 children when the theft happened over the weekend. Gonzalez said the trailer where the toys were stored was left unlocked.

"The handles were open, and there was no locks," she said.

The burglars left behind clothing but took all the toys.

"I was angry that someone would do this. But at the same time, I felt like relief, because I know I serve a higher power, and it's going to come tenfold," she said.

Gonzalez started Wheels of Change in 2021 using her COVID-19 relief payments to buy a trailer and deliver things to families. She said her own childhood struggles after her dad passed away when she was 10 years old inspired her mission.

"I want everybody to experience what I experienced when I was little when people gave us a helping hand," she said.

Now, she is trying to raise money to replace the stolen gifts before the giveaway event in two weeks.

"We already notified parents that we were going to have this event. I'm not taking that back. If it's the last thing I do, children will have something to open," Gonzalez said.

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