It didn’t take long for Scrooge to make an appearance.
On the day after Thanksgiving, a motorcycle group called “Los Cochinos,” as it has done for the past six years, buys bikes, scooters and other toys as Christmas presents for needy kids in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood.
On Friday morning, Gail Valdez and the wife of another of the motorcycle riders went to the WalMart store on West Quincy Avenue and South Wadsworth Boulevard to shop for the toys.
After purchasing about $800 worth of toys, the two women loaded them up in their car and drove home. On the way, Valdez realized the money bag she carried in her purse must have dropped while they were loading up.
So they drove back and found the bag. But it was empty. About $5,000 inside was gone.
“I’m just sick,” Valdez said. “I’m going to disappoint a lot of kids and the Cochinos. I’m beating myself up about it.”
The “Toyz in the Hood Run,” as the event is called, is part of the group’s way of giving back to the community some grew up in. Westwood is part of the Denver Housing Authority and those who live there are low income.
The motorcycle group raises money throughout the year, then purchases the toys and bikes. A week or two before Christmas, they ride their motorcycles around the housing project, revving up their motors. The Santas then deliver the presents.
Last year they gave out 200 bicycles and 1,600 toys, said organizer Rich Martinez.
This year, they planned a wrapping party for Dec. 10 and would deliver the presents a day later. Now, everything is up in the air.
“I’m just hoping they give it back,” Martinez said of whoever took the money. “If they spent half the money, just give us back the rest.”
Martinez filed a report with Denver police. Police spokesman John White said the case would be passed along to detectives. Among the things they would look at are surveillance tapes. A spokeswoman for Wal-Mart said the store would cooperate fully with authorities.
All may not be lost, however.
Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez is a big supporter of the effort. He grew up in the Westwood area, a neighborhood he now represents.
He has helped the group raise money for the past several years. Another fundraiser is planned for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Lookin Good Restaurant, 66 Sheridan Blvd. People can donate money, toys or whatever they like.
“It’s a huge loss, devastating for the folks who have been fundraising throughout the year to make this happen for the kids,” Lopez said. “I’m hopeful we can bounce right back and help ‘Los Cochinos’ fundraise what’s missing.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
How to help
To donate, checks can be mailed to:
Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez
4200 Morrison Road, Unit No. 7
Denver, CO 80219
Attention: Toyz in the Hood Run
Checks need to be made out to Servicios de la Raza. In the memo line, put “Toyz in the Hood Run” or “Los Cochinos.”
