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Several home burglaries in the North Salt Lake-Bountiful area have residents a little concerned, but they also are bringing neighbors together.
A special yard sale was held today, with all the money raised going to those who had items stolen from their houses. It was a way to try to make some good out of something so bad.
Of all the yard sales Penny Stratton has been to, this one in Bountiful just might be the most important of them all.
"[It] makes you feel good inside," she said. "It's a really nice feeling that you can serve others."
She helped organize the sale. All the items were donated by residents in the neighborhood, and all the money from it will go to those who had their homes broken into and items stolen.
Heidi Redd is one of the victims. She said of the sale organizers, "Words can't explain it. They're really good people, and I am blessed to have friends like them."
A burglar broke into Heidi's son's room and stole the money he had been saving to play football. "It was hard for me to see him lose what he had earned," she said.
Brandon Redd said, "It was kind of like we were violated, because we walked in and my drawers were all empty and everything was all over the floor and on my bed."
Brandon's story got neighbors thinking about this yard sale. During our interview with his mom, a neighbor came up to her and wrote her a check, which made her believe there is still good in the world.
"A complete stranger would just come up to me and give me money for my son," Heidi said.
She knows some of the stolen items can't be replaced, like her wedding ring. But she will be able to replace some things, thanks to neighbors who she never knew cared so much.
Penny Stratton said, "When they say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes people to look out for each other and help each other out."
The Redds say enough money was raised to allow Brandon to play football this summer and fall.
Police are still looking for suspects in the burglaries.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
