Editorial: Charity theft unacceptable

I think one of the lowest things a person could do is steal from a charity.

Under normal circumstances, I'd say nobody would dare do something so horrible.

But that's exactly what has happened in our very own community. It makes me livid.

In today's paper we have talked to the Cancer Society who have been left "gutwrenchingly" disappointed upon finding out 45 hand-crocheted daffodils were stolen from Third Place Cafe.

The daffodils were on sale at the cafe as part of the society's annual Daffodil Day fundraiser when the box was taken over the weekend.

The daffodils are handmade lovingly by a volunteer, and take about 30 minutes each to make. They are sold for $5 each with the money raised going directly back into the Rotorua community.

Stealing under any circumstances is not okay, but to me, stealing from a charity is 10 times worse.

The Cancer Society and its volunteers work tirelessly every year. For their hard work to be ripped off like this is heartbreaking.

I don't doubt for every one low life in our city, there are hundreds of wonderful, generous people - working at the Rotorua Daily Post, I know that for sure. But I can't help but get mad whenever we come across a story like this because it makes me question what people in our community are capable of.

To the person who, without thought for anyone but themselves, stole those daffodils, I hope you see the impact of your actions and do the right thing by returning them.

To the other wonderful members of our community, be sure to dig deep the next time you pass a charity box so we can prove together that there will always be more good among us than bad.