The couple from Oro-Medonte who had their barbecue stolen earlier this month have had their faith in humanity restored by a local business.
Napoleon Home Comfort service manager Rob Duff had read the story published April 15 and reached out to try to help Victoria (who didn't want her last name used) and her husband, who are front-line health workers.
“This is a tough enough time without bad people taking advantage of good ones,” Duff said. "We just wanted to know if there was anything we could do to help make their day a little brighter.”
Victoria and her husband were home with the lights on when two thieves stole the barbecue from the backyard of their home.
Video captured the bandits after they cut the gas line to take the barbecue and carried it down the family's driveway to a waiting pickup truck.
Victoria said she's able to see some light in people again after the good deed.
“We were feeling down after the theft and just felt a bit defeated. Hearing from Rob restored our faith in the community and made us remember that the proportion of good people outweighs the bad,” she said.
Victoria said she originally came forward with her story to keep people informed about what was happening in the community, but what eventually transpired from the article warmed her heart.
“The generosity that Rob and the team at Napoleon has shown has been truly overwhelming,” she said. “We were just hoping to warn the community by sharing this story and we were so surprised and grateful that Rob wanted to help us out.
"It feels so good to know that the work we do is appreciated at a time like this.”
The theft took place at 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. The audacity of the thieves was what caught Victoria off guard, because it was clearly visible the family was home and even awake.
Victoria says they will step up precautions even more now.
“We are definitely more on edge after the incident and have been much more diligent about turning on our lights at night and using our security system,” she said. “We are planning on securing the barbecue and installing floodlights and a camera in the back.
“We also have learned how amazing our neighbours are through all of this," Victoria added. "Many of them have said that I could contact them any time day or night if I ever felt unsafe.”
No arrests have been announced in the case.
