ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 25, 1996 TAG: 9612260061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-8 EDITION: HOLIDAY
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: Associated Press
A businessman came through on Christmas Eve to make up the difference in about $1,200 in checks stolen from a United Way safe.
Irv Cox, owner of Entre Computer Center in Charlottesville, dropped off a $1,200 check Tuesday at the office of the Thomas Jefferson Area United Way.
``I didn't want a Grinch to ruin Christmas for those who were looking for help from the Santa Fund,'' Cox said. ``For those of us who are fortunate, we must give back to the community.''
Cathy Train, president of the local agency, said she was ``just overwhelmed'' by Cox's gift to the fund, which provides shoes, clothing and other essential items to children of needy families across central Virginia.
The donation came a day after a United Way official discovered a pried-open front door to the United Way's office. Thieves had broken into the ground-floor office over the weekend and taken a cast-iron safe.
Both Train and banking officials said it would be difficult for the thieves to cash checks made out to the Santa Fund.
No arrests have been made in the theft.
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB