Lindenhurst family sees outpouring of support after donation jar theft at Flag Beverage
A family who owns a beverage store in Lindenhurst has seen an outpouring of support after their charity donation jar was stolen last week.
As News 12 Long Island has reported, a thief was captured on surveillance video swiping a donation jar off of the counter at Flag Beverage in Lindenhurst. The thief was arrested shortly after the story aired on News 12.
The Mainini family, who owns the store, says the donations were for the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Their son, 7-year-old Anthony, was born with a heart condition that required several surgeries, and they credit the hospital with saving his life.
Since the story aired, the family says they've seen a flood of support and donations. They've received letters, checks in the mail and even special visits to replace the donations for the children's hospital.
Today, a group of 12-year-old boys who play baseball with the Long Island Prospects Bulldogs came by to drop off a shirt for Anthony, a signed baseball and a $220 donation. The kind gesture brought young Anthony to tears-- happy tears, he says.
The Mainini family says a new donation box now sits in their store.