Community Shows Support After Owensboro, Kentucky Charity is Burglarized
Friends of Sinners, a Christ-centered residential substance recovery program, is asking the public for help after reporting several items missing after Thursday night's burglary. Here's how you can help.
FOS Executive Director, Joe Welsh, sent me a message on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, and I was worried something was wrong. After he shared that his family was okay, he reported that Friends of Sinners was broken into at around 11:30 on Friday night. Local police were already on the scene collecting evidence.
Thousands of dollars of items were taken, including a new zero-turn lawnmower that was just bought and donated. Also stolen was their Apple iMac desktop computer. Personal items were among the missing, including a backpack full of deer cameras. Joe is an avid hunter and those meant a lot to him!
It pains me to type that many toys and gifts were also stolen during the theft. These were used for clients to give their children birthday or Christmas presents throughout the year. Or, if they wanted to give them something special when they got out of jail. Hygiene products, clothes, and shoes for clients, and power tools, were also taken. They also stole items that were donated for the My Sister's Keeper rummage sale this weekend. The sale is underway until 11:00 this morning at 731 Jackson Street in Owensboro.
I can't wrap my mind around the thought of people stealing what isn't theirs. My Daddy raised me to work hard to acquire the things that I want in life. But, ten years ago I was a victim. We had over $16,000 worth of items stolen (that we worked HARD for) from our home. It changes you after that happens. I've never reclaimed my sense of security and anxiety since that day. I really can't understand someone who steals from a CHARITY. That's even worse.
FRIENDS OF SINNERS NEW FACILITY BURGLARIZED
Friends of Sinners new facility was burglarized Thursday night at about 11:20 pm.
Owensboro police were amazing and treated us like it was a bank robbery or the most important case they ever worked on. Officer Dempsey, November, and Shrecker were the officers' names, and I want to make sure they are recognized for the hard work and time they put into this investigation from the start. They went above and beyond anything I expected when I called to report the break-in.
I am confident we will find out who did it. The Friends of the Sinners community and the people of Owensboro will most likely solve this case for us and the police department. There are a lot of people who may not like us, but there are a lot more who love us, and I've already received 50 calls from people spreading the word and trying to help find out who stole our stuff and damaged our property.", FOS Executive Director, Joe Welsh shared in a statement
When we get any information from the Owensboro Police Department, we'll update the article. Anyone with information can call OPD at 270-687-8888, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 270-687-8484.
FRIENDS OF SINNERS IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP
We all have made mistakes...especially us at FOS, so we forgive them and we're praying they'll get caught to get the help they need. We know most theft-related cases are drug-related cases, and the person or persons who did this, are broken and most likely need help. There's help for them. We're praying they get that help sooner rather than later because in Owensboro people are dying from drug overdoses like never before, and the problem is only getting bigger and stronger. It's a sad miserable life to live addicted to drugs. What bothers me more than the things that were stolen, is what that person or people are probably living through right now.
We are trying to raise a million dollars to move our men's faculty to the Jackson Street location, and we have people stealing from us and damaging our property. It's just really disappointing. Days like today make you want to scream but God is, and always has been, faithful to us. We are blessed and do not feel like victims...we trust god has a plan and something good will come out of this for us.", Joe emotionally shared
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Friends of Sinners have to replace their computer system. It was something similar to this Apple iMac from Best Buy.
They were so excited about this new zero-turn lawnmower that was just bought and donated to the center. It was also stolen during the burglary.
FOS finally has a zero-turn lawn mower!
We are so grateful to Kurt Flashpoehler who donated this to us! We will be able to cut our grass at the new men’s facility. From a post on May 16th, 2023
FRIENDS OF SINNERS MISSION STATEMENT
Friends of Sinners is a Christ-centered residential substance recovery program focusing on the restoration and reconciliation of men and women to Christ through biblical truths, accountability, and life skills. Through this, we are transforming individuals into positive contributors to society. Apply HERE if you need this life-saving help!