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Early Christmas: Church Donates To Replace Stolen Molino Park Elementary Tech Items

Christmas came early for Molino Park Elementary School Thursday, thanks to the generosity of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and numerous people in the Molino community.

Just days before school started last August, the school was the victim of a burglary and vandalism. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of electronics were stolen from throughout the school, including Apple computers, iPads, Wii gaming systems, cameras  and more. Many of the stolen items, including computers and iPads, were burned by the suspects.

The Escambia County School District is self insured up to $100,000, with the school responsible for paying for 20 percent of allowed losses.  Molino Park was left 26 computers short because the school district will not replace computers over seven years old.

Thursday, Aldersgate presented Molino Park with a check for $2,868.89, which was in addition to an $810 donation made in September. The church and its members worked hard to raise the funds, earning the money through pulpit appears, special offerings, their monthly United Methodist men’s breakfast, three Wednesday night family dinners and through donations at the church’s Back to School Bash in September.

“This money will assist us tremendously in replacing some of the technology lost,” aid Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward.

“When we learned about the break-in, we wanted to do everything we could to remedy the situation so that the children of our community would not have to suffer from lack of computer equipment through no fault of their own,” said Rev. Alan Gantzhorn of Aldersgate.  “Our church is committed to doing what it can to make our community a better place.”

Aldersgate UMC, and Molino’s Highland Baptist Church, are both Partners in Education with Molino Park. And Molino Park has been a mission focus for the Aldersgate for the past three years.

“I want to thank everyone that has contributed to our losses, partners Aldersgate and Highland, community donations, our PTA and parents,” Woodward said. “Your donations have assisted with covering part of our 20 percent as well as purchasing some iPads to replace some of the older computers that were not replaced.  Your support keeps us going.”

Five people — two adults and three juveniles — were arrested in connection with the burglary and vandalism. They are all awaiting trial.

Pictured top and bottom: These photos show empty spots were computers were stolen from Molino Park Elementary School. Pictured inset: Aldersgate United Methodist Church Rev. Alan Gantzhorn presents a check to Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward Thursday. Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.