The phones at Aberdeen’s Wedding Flowers have been ringing these past few days with people wanting to donate toys and money after burglars stole about 125 gifts for children spending Christmas in three area hospitals.
“The Grinch is dead,” said owner Jim Harney.
Harney, his son-in-law and grandson visit hospitals every Christmas Eve to hand out toys they’ve collected. On Tuesday, employees of the bridal florist arrived to find the shop at 3829 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago, had been burglarized. The toys and books collected so far this year were gone.
After media reports about the incident, more than 1,000 people have called or visited the store to pledge more than $25,000 and donate at least 4,000 gifts, said Harney.
“If I get four hours of sleep a night right now, I’m happy,” said Harney, 65, of Des Plaines. “This thing has blossomed.”
Two girls, 4 and 6, brought in their piggy banks to donate change they had, he said. The Chicago Bulls donated hundreds of toys collected by Itasca police as well as Bulls T-shirts and other basketball paraphernalia. And West Suburban Charities Foundation, a charity started by local businesspeople last year, donated $10,000.
“He’s doing a good thing, and now he’s going to more hospitals than before,” said Doug Wright, a member of the foundation. “We’re just trying to help.”
Although floral arrangements are still being produced at the shop, Harney vowed to deliver every present before Christmas. Trucks have been rented, and the wedding florist has become a makeshift toy-sorting factory.
While the three generations of the Harney family usually go to Stroger Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Rush University Medical Center every Christmas Eve to deliver gifts, now they’ll visit 18. And they’ve already delivered toys to a home for handicapped children and given some to other groups visiting orphanages, said Harney.
Harney’s son-in-law, Frank Davis, began delivering toys to Cook County Hospital with college friends in 1982. Harney joined him six or seven years ago, and their goal was to deliver about 400 gifts to children at the three hospitals.
“The people of Chicago came to the rescue,” Harney said.
