Thieves broke into Kathy’s Corner nearly two weeks ago, and since that time islanders have stepped up to help owner Kathy Wheaton replace what was stolen and make safety improvements for the future.
The burglary occurred late at night or early in the morning of Oct. 27 or 28. Wheaton said the thieves accessed her business from the property on her southern boundary and drove a vehicle between the two small buildings there. They damaged the fence and from the hoop house that holds her office, made off with all the businesses’s electronics, including the cash register, computers and printer. The thieves also stole liquid fertilizer, Wheaton’s glasses, the penny jug and a whole arm load of cactus, much of which they left in a broken trail showing where they went in and out of the business.
In all, the loss totalled thousands of dollars, Wheaton said, noting she is not insured for that type of loss because it would be too costly to do so.
“I was ready to quit,” she said. “I have never been so close to saying, ‘I am done. I am just absolutely done.’”
By the following Tuesday, however, customer Mary Chambers had set up an online fundraising account with a $7,500 goal — which donors met within two days. Following that, Chambers, with Wheaton’s agreement, raised the goal to $15,000 to help with long-term safety improvements.
“We are hoping she can not only recoup from the burglary, but make it too much of a deterrent for people to bother with in the future,” Chambers said.
As of Monday, 135 people had donated more than $8,600. Chambers said she plans to leave the GoFundMe account open until at least May 14.
Wheaton, whose business was burglarized eight times over an eight-month period five years ago, said the in-person and online support has been extraordinary, with people stopping by with hugs and purchases and contributing online.
“I could feel myself filling back up with people’s energy. I could feel their love. It is what carried me though this week,” she said last Friday.
Security improvements she would like to make include cameras, improved fencing and lighting. Should the fundraising effort bring in enough to do part or all of that, she said she won’t be dancing in the street — but will do something even better.
“I will be out there with a hammer making things happen,” she said.
Cindi West of the King County Sheriff’s Office said that the department requests anyone with information to come forward. They can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
— Susan Riemer
