31 days ago
ROCKLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- It was just a small plastic box with some cash inside --$25 to $100, depending on whom you ask. But for the members of the Czosnek family, it was more than that. The box was a collection box for the Humane Society of Knox County. The Czosneks, who own the Rock Coast (formerly Rock Coast Sports) store in downtown Rockland, are furious that someone stole the animal shelter collection box from the counter of their store. The family loves animals, especially dogs, and are regular donors to the Humane Society, according to Miranda Czosnek, daughter-in-law of owner Mike. She says they have been taking donations at the store for more than a year, and that the box had a sizeable amount of money it when someone apparently grabbed it on Friday. For the Humane Society of Knox County, the theft comes at a bad time. Executive director Terry Sala says donations are down. A summertime "Art for Animals" fundraiser brought in far less than in previous years. They have to pay for a large fence to protect the property from a new road being built nearby. And, because of the poor economy, there are also lots of animals being given to the shelter for adoption by owners who can't afford them. Money is very tight, she says, and this was the second collection box stolen in a month. Another was taken from a different Rockland store a few weeks ago. "Its hard." Says Sala, " because the economy is hurting everybody, and that they feel like they need to take it from a non profit organization is pretty sad, and a statement of where people are at." Neither the shelter nor the store owners are letting it stop them, though. The Humane Society plans to replace the collection box. And Miranda Czosnek and her husband went to the store Monday night, and filled their pickup truck with per food for the shelter.
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