I was reading the Laconia Daily Sun today, as usual, and I stumbled across this article. I'm sure some of you came across it today.
Please return my son's Xbox, no questions asked
Friday April 14, 2006
To the editor,
This is a message to whomever broken into 8 Rhodes Drive Apartment 4, Belmont on Tuesday April 11. The article that was removed from my home was my 8-year-old son's Xbox and about 10 video games (his whole collection). I am asking, no, I am begging, whomever has done this to just return the Xbox and Xbox video games anonymously. My son is absolutely devestated, this was his life, his favorite toy, the only thing he really had of value and the only thing that he really loves the most. He won't stop crying. I am a single mother and I cannot afford to replace the $150 Xbox gaming system and I can in no way replace almost $500 worth of video games that were stolen from our home. Whoever has done this, I really hope you think and you realize that you are hurting a small child and I hope you can find it in your heart to just bring the gaming system to my doorstep and just leave it there or drop it off at any local pawn shop (all area pawn shops have been notified that this system is missing and they have my contact information). I will not press charges if I can just have my son's Xbox and games back. That's all I want. I just cannot afford to replace it and I hurt so badly to look at my son and feel the pain that he feels. Please, have a heart. Thank you.
Jocelyn E. Cote
Belmont
This makes me so sad. I have a real soft spot for children, and I have a real hard spot for people who do these types of things. Who just go through life stealing and hurting people. It makes me so angry. I just want to say go out and get a damn job and work for it yourself. It's hard to put it into words what I feel right now, but all day I kept thinking about the poor little boy. You know, when we're adults, and things like this happen to us, we accept it and just keep marching on. We know that life just isn't fair sometimes, and that there are people out there who are just ruthless--but a poor little kid. I can only imagine. Furthermore an innocent one, who doesn't deserve this.
My friend and I have been talking about this issue tonight. We have intentions of contacting this woman or maybe the Belmont Police Department to get an update on the case. I highly doubt the thief has any intention of returning the item--I would like to think that, but in my years on this planet I've learned that it usually doesn't work that way. I will certainly give it some time.
We want to raise money to buy this little boy an Xbox and 10 games to replace the ones that were stolen from him. The console is $150 and the games are $500, so $650 all together. The both of us think we can get this job done, and are willing to do all the leg-work required. Contact the woman and see what games he had, and if the Xbox has been returned or located. I myself am going to put up $100, and my friend $40, so that brings it down to $510.
Is there anyone else on this board who is interested in donating? Any contribution of
any amount would help, and would be greatly appreciated, especially by this poor little boy. We all remember how much things like this meant to us when we were children, I certainly do. I can also perceive how this mother must feel knowing that she simply cannot replace this item, and I'm sure that hurts her the most. As parents we want to protect our children from all the harm in the world, but sometimes we cannot.
I am willing to give everyone receipts, keep any contributors updated on our progress, and certainly recognize anyone generous enough to donate. I will be certain to post all names on this board, and possibly send the information into the Laconia Daily Sun. I will also give your information to the family unless you wish to remain anonymous. If we don't make our goal by at the maximum one month I will buy the most I can starting with the Xbox first and then as many games as the money allows. I'm aiming for a time period of two weeks. So basically by the first of May.
If anyone has or your children have an Xbox that they don't use anymore or are willing to donate that would be wonderful too.
Anyone interested in donating to this cause can e-mail me or IM me at
ChefNadia@aol.com - donations can certainly be dropped off or mailed to:
Nadia Corrado
c/o Nadia's Trattoria
1402 Lakeshore Drive
Gilford NH, 03249
PayPal payments to:
MidnightJulliett@aol.com (Please include in the notes/comments area "Xbox Donation" and your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address", unless you wish to remain anonymous.
My name is Nadia Corrado, I can be reached at 603-524-8688 during the hours listed above. Feel free to leave a message as well and I will get back to you. I have no intentions of raising anymore money than the $510. I will update this thread as often as I can with information regarding the situation. If the items are found I will certainly return the money--mark my words.
Thank you all for your time.
Nadia Corrado & Martin Bennett