A donation box that helped provide guide dogs for blind people and children with autism was stolen from a Surrey shopping centre earlier this week.
The three-foot-tall donation money collection set-up, with a blue bottom and topped with a clear dome for people to drop coins into, belonged to charities B.C. Guide Dog Services and Autism Support Dogs.
It was reported missing by Guildford Town Centre security on Tuesday (Aug. 9). Thieves left behind the padlock and chain that secured the donation bin to a pillar.
“We rely almost entirely on donations so whenever something like this happens, it definitely impacts us,” said Bill Thornton, CEO of the two sister charities.
B.C. Guide Dogs and Autism Support Dogs have suffered from other thefts involving their smaller coin tins that are found at local retailers. Surrey was the only location in Canada that carried the large donation box.
“It’s a shame because it was one of those (containers) where your coin spun round and round to the very bottom. Kids loved it,” added Thornton.
It is unknown how much money was in the stolen bin, but staff emptied it regularly.
Anyone with information about the missing box is asked to call 604-940-4504.