A Palo Alto non-profit organization, Abilities United, was burglarized over the weekend.
Police say thieves broke into a shed near the main building at 525 E Charleston Road. Camping gear and emergency supplies were taken. Abilities United Associate Director Sheraden Nicholau says it was worth about $1,600.
“This was very shocking for us, this is very out of the ordinary,” Nicholau said.
The organization serves children and adults with disabilities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
Three to four times a year, staff takes adults camping to different locations around the Bay Area. Now, all of their supplies for those trips are gone.
“We had emergency preparedness supplies, grab and go bags, first aid kits, tents, sleeping bags,” Nicholau said.
Nicholau now hopes someone will find the items, or they’ll have to rely on community support for the camping trips going forward.
“For the people we serve it’s a way to get together, to network, for them to socialize, and for many of them it's the only chance they have to go camping or do outdoor activities."
