“I was afraid they weren’t going to have a Christmas,” PaTrisha Patten said of how she felt after learning the storage unit housing the gifts for the Adopt-A-Family Christmas Project she runs had been broken into.
On the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 21, it was reported that the storage unit, located at Mountain View Storage Units off U.S. 84, had been broken into, according to a statement the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
The statement notes the gifts were stolen sometime the previous evening or early on Dec. 21.
“When I opened the storage unit, I just started bawling,” Patten said.
Patten learned about the break-in from the storage unit facility’s owner.
She explained the renter of another unit noticed the lock on the project’s unit had been cut and reported it to the owner of the facility, who placed another lock on it and called Patten.
It was reported to the ACSO and Patten and Kimberlie Hamilton, who previously ran the project, put posts on Facebook alerting people to the break-in and the need for more gifts to replace those that were taken.
Patten explained that 40 gifts were stolen or damaged after the lock was cut off with a rusty bolt cutter.
Patten noted that she cried herself to sleep, not knowing if they’d have enough to support the 141 people (44 families) being helped this year.
The next morning she woke to her phone buzzing, saying, “It just kept going and going.”
She added she was terrified of what she was going to see when she checked her phone, but saw donations and adoption requests rolling in, and she started sending people lists of needed items.
At least 15 people readopted families, and at least 50 people donated, she said, with amounts ranging from $5 to $1,000.
“I just started crying again,” she said of the large donations.
Within 24 hours, Patten noted, the project had everyone either readopted or funds were available to help replace damaged or stolen gifts.
The Pagosa Lake Property Owners Association, which donated the use of its clubhouse for Saturday’s distribution, allowed organizers and volunteers access on Friday night to give them space and time to wrap everything purchased and donated that day, Patten added.
She noted several who dropped off gifts Friday night commented, “The Grinch ain’t stealing this Christmas.”
And the distribution went beautifully, she stated, highlighting that Marsha Kern even made individual to-go food boxes for every person helped by the program this year.
“It’s a miracle that Pagosa can come together that quickly and fix a crisis when there is one,” Patten said.
Following Saturday’s distribution, the ACSO posted on its Facebook, “The ACSO Operation Adopt-A-Family x3 is complete. Thank You to the ladies that put this on and work long hours to make sure families get their gifts. This year was a true testament on how awesome our community is. Together, we replaced all the gifts that were stolen in one day. You’re awesome Archuleta County citizens! Merry Christmas!”
“We appreciate every single person that jumped in and helped out,” Patten said. “It’s beyond amazing.”
Patten reported she cried again on Christmas as families sent pictures of gifts being open, adding it warmed her heart to see how thankful they were.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Archuleta County Combined Dispatch at (970) 731-2160.
About the program
Patten took over administration of the community effort last year after Hamilton, who ran it for 10 years, moved away.
“My grandma is the reason I took it over,” Patten said, recounting that her grandma, who passed away in 2013, always had a generous heart, taking people in and buying gifts for people.
She indicated taking over the project makes her feel closer to her grandma.
She noted the program doesn’t have restrictions, but seeks to offer help to anyone who needs it, asking for jackets, boots and other items.
She said most families are routed to the project through word of mouth or Facebook.
And the program is growing, she noted, explaining they helped 92 people last year and 141 this year.
Those interested in helping can reach out to Patten via Facebook or by contacting her at (970) 317-8975.
