Cold-Hearted Grinch Steals $1,000 Raised By Monmouth County Volunteer Firefighters

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Monmouth County volunteer firefighters have been selling Christmas trees to raise money, only to find out that the proceeds were stolen by a cold-hearted crook.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, they said they still won't let it ruin their holiday spirit.

It's the season of giving and holiday cheer, but there are some Grinches out there.

"We were selling trees out back. Annual fundraiser and sometime on Sunday morning we found our cash register with money had vanished," Firehouse Vice President, Casey Willms said.

The all volunteer independent fire company in Spring Lake Heights lost about $1,000 -- money crucial to help maintain the fire house so they can continue to serve and protect the community.

"We are thirty strong here. It's all of our home together," President, Joe Tompey said.

Sue Desmorias was saved by the dedicated firemen. She donated on Monday.

"We had a house fire and we lost one of our dogs. They saved the other ones so we want to pay that forward," she said.

The register was locked in a garage, so the thief had to hop over a fence, and then break in.

"I hope you really needed the money. We worked really hard for it, if you needed it this bad to break into volunteer firehouse," former chief Bill Fury said.

Bill Fury who has served for more than 57 years with the firehouse said there is a lesson in all of this.

"We forgive and move on. It's Christmas. Need to forgive everyone for whatever they have done," he said.

The team said this has not broken their spirits, and that they will continue to sell Christmas trees.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the station on 6th Ave and Essex Ave in Spring Lake Heights.