With Christmas just around the corner, most of our thoughts turn to giving.  But for opportunistic thieves, it's prime time to take.  That sad fact was evident over the weekend when a heartless crook stole several thousand dollars from a charity in Markham.

Michelle Del Carmen is one of only a few employees of the Centre for Dreams.  They provide services for adults with developmental disabilities.  Over the weekend, they held a successful fundraiser that was marred by the theft, which took place when a thief smashed the window to Del Carmen's car and took off with a considerable sum of money.

"It was such a feel-good event and, you know, it kind of felt like a kick in the teeth at the end of the day."

"We're estimating we lost between 6 to $8,000."

"I was completely devastated. Devastated, frustrated."
 
The good news is the good people of Markham heard about the theft and are stopping in to help.

"My husband and I just felt terrible, so we thought we live in Markham and this is a Markham social service, I guess, and we should help," said Julie Christian, who donated to the charity.

Julie's not the only one pledging help. By Monday afternoon, $2,500 was raised.

If you'd like to help, visit http://www.dreamsinc.ca/