Thieves hit donation bins

Photo: Contributed

The Summerland Ornamental Gardens has lost a significant revenue stream, after cash donation boxes were broken into twice in the past two weeks.

The gardens on the same property as the Summerland Research and Development Centre are maintained by a registered charity; Friends of the Gardens.

On August 2, thieves cut the locks on three flowerpot-like custom donation boxes stealing an estimated $100. Volunteers replaced the locks with stronger versions, but this time, the thieves took a pry bar to the metal boxes, destroying them in the process.

Friends of the Gardens chair Bonnie Fulton says they are following the advice of the RCMP in not replacing the bins for the time being.

“We are at a loss right now, we really are, and feeling quite devastated,” she said. “We will now have to rely on online donations.”

Fulton says the charity brings in about $12,000 a year from the boxes, a large chunk of their $50,000 budget.

“The sad thing is, much of this support comes from tourists,” she said, explaining they get about 20,000 visits a year. “And with tourists, it's a one off, they are the ones that do contribute the most in this manner.”

The public is urged to support the gardens online at www.summerlandgardens.org