A local charity organization, Polk County Christmas Angels, has been providing gifts for foster children for 48 years straight, but just over a month before Christmas their bank account is empty.

  • Charity's $27,000 balance stolen
  • Charity founder reported her personal accounts wiped out, as well
  • Police, bank working to recoup funds

The charity's founder, Sandy Toledo, filed a report with Lakeland Police on Tuesday. She says she tried to purchase a few Christmas gifts over the weekend and say the Christmas Angels' bank account was overdrawn by over $3,000.

She says she got on the phone her bank and had her fears confirmed, the charity's $27,000 was gone. A bank representative told her the entire account balance had been spent at a Chinese gaming company.

“Who could do it? Who could take money from foster children who don’t have anything to begin with?” Toledo said.

The charity was planning to purchase the bulk of their gifts on Black Friday, but no longer have the money to do so.

Toledo reported the thieves had her social security number as well, and managed to wipe out her personal account.

“It’s heartbreaking on my personal account, but the Christmas Angels account is devastating -- I was physically ill," she explained.

While police are working closed with the bank to recoup the money, Christmas is getting closer. Toledo said there's no time to waste, and is doing everything she can to provide gifts to the local foster children who rely on Christmas Angels.

“It doesn’t matter because these children think Santa Claus is coming, and he has to come. There’s no question about it, and we have to make sure that he comes," she said, through tears.

If you'd like to lend a hand please contact:

Polk County Christmas Angels
P.O. Box 4
Lakeland, Florida 33802