Stolen 'Toys for Tots' donations at Rye real estate office are replaced

RYE, New York (WABC) -- The generosity of the season has won out after a Toys for Tots bin was robbed this week.

On Tuesday afternoon, a box set aside for Toys for Tots donations was cleaned out right outside a business. Marylin Martin Hoffman, the vice president of sales at William Raveis Real Estate office on Purchase Street in Rye, said on Tuesday, the box at the office was about three-quarters full of toys.

But by 5 p.m., Hoffman said the box looked empty. Someone had helped themselves to practically all of the donated toys.

However, on Thursday, Hoffman reported that many had joined forces to help and replace the toys. She said previously collected toys were brought in by an agent. Other toys were donated from a local toy store and from residents, all in response to the story.

She said an anonymous donor also had stepped forward to replace the stolen toys. "'Tis the season of giving!" Hoffman said.

Hoffman said the business has participated in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots holiday toy drive for years.