River City Habitat for Humanity has received tool donations and more than $1,200 in monetary donations after tools were stolen from a construction site sometime Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
"I think it's indicative of why Habitat has had the success that we have had, which is that the community is incredibly supporting," said Kelly Smith, executive director of River City Habitat for Humanity. "People lift each other up. When tough things happen, to have a community that rallies around you is a huge blessing, and we don't take that for granted."
Smith told the News Tribune on Thursday morning some of the more expensive tools - nail guns, a compressor and a chop saw - were taken from the site in the 300 block of East Ashley Street.
"Unfortunately for us, we have a budget and replacing a tool is not part of the budget," she said Thursday.
Friday afternoon, Smith said officials estimated the stolen tools to be worth $3,600. That estimate was $2,000 on Thursday.
She said the rush of community support has allowed Habitat to continue with scheduled construction.
"Scruggs (Lumber) has given us several tools, and Meek's (Lumber and Hardware) gave us a nail gun," Smith said. "Century Link has offered to buy a tool for us when we figure out which one we need the most."
She said the agency has also received donations besides the monetary and business ones.
"We have also had people in the community come in today (Friday) with their own tools to give us," Smith said. "That's really touching, and we appreciate the community support so much."
She said management of River City Habitat for Humanity will begin rethinking job site safety and security.
"We want to try to figure out ways to keep this from happening in the future," she said.
If you would like more information about River City Habitat for Humanity or if you would like to make a donation, call 635-8439.