Community comes together to help Lexington nonprofit burglarized ahead of fundraiser

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A burglary at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass set the nonprofit back for their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Someone broke into their office and took items for the 10 for 10 fundraiser’s silent auction. Thousands of dollars worth of bottles of alcohol and electronics were stolen.

Board members called on the community for help and they said they received an overwhelming response. People dropped off donations and donated money.

“i know board members had friends reach out to them, just saying ‘Oh my gosh, how can we help?’ People have called the office, but they’ve also provided a lot of assistance,” board chair Hilary Angelucci said. “We’ve been really surprised and thankful for the community that we live in.”

Kentucky-born singer Chris Stapleton also chipped in, donating an autographed bourbon bottle.

“Through his charitable fund, it’s Outlaw State of Kind, you can sign up to try and get an autographed bottle of bourbon that he donates to people all around the country and the world, and so we signed up to do that and a couple weeks ago, we heard from the manager they were going to do that, and then they stepped up and continued to step up after that,” Angelucci said.

Angelucci said Stapleton heard about the break in, and is donating money to make up for the lost office items, too.

“For our office equipment that was taken to help do our mission, to help bring mentors to young people, they’re going to help fill that gap, not only donating to the silent auction, but they’re going to help bring us back up to where we need to be to help serve those kids,” she said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters “10 for 10″ fundraiser starts this Sunday and runs through Oct. 19.

We’re told police are still investigating the burglary.

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