Stealing from charity...now there's the Christmas spirit!

By Mike Stevens

What could be worse than stealing candy from a baby? How about stealing money from premature babies-- at Christmas time!

The Sporacio family of Farmingville has been raising money for the Little Angel Fund for the past three years. The fund is part of a support group for families with prematurely born babies. The Sporacio's were helped by the Little Angel Fund 2 and a half  years ago when their daughter was born. Since then, they have been trying to give back by raising money for other families in the same situation. To do that, Mike Sporacio sets up this huge Christmas display in his front yard each year with larger than life Santas, sleds, candy canes and more. People who pass by and like it are encouraged to drop money in a locked donation box. Then the money is emptied each night, and every penny is given to the charity. For the past two years they have raised about $2,500  each year. And to prove how angelic they are, they even pay the $1,200 LIPA bill (for the extra Christmas lights) out of their own pockets!.

Well, this year, while they've again been nice, someone else has been naughty. Very naughty. The other night--with Santa watching (apparently not very closely)--someone stole the whole donation box. The Sporacios are furious. Not that there was a lot of money inside -- maybe  $50 to $100 -- but there is a principle involved. It's bad enough to steal during Christmas from Charity, but worse --  from a charity benefiting KIDS!

Suffolk Police found the old donation box, empty of course, and they are still looking for the culprit.  The Sporacios are asking anyone with information to contact police.  If you'd like to make a donation -- perhaps to make up for what was lost in this brazen act of grinch-like thievery, contact the Little Angle Fund at 631 736 2512.