Students and staff at one La Mesa school are trying to raise some of the thousands of dollars stolen after a fundraiser -- money meant to help provide school supplies for students and teachers.
The theft happened at Lemon Avenue Elementary School right after the school's annual carnival fundraiser to benefit both teachers and students.
Leading up to the event, kids worked all years in gardens to grow food to sell at the benefit. At the event, parents volunteered several hours to put on the event.
Parents told NBC 7 they don't mind spending endless hours volunteering at the school because they believe in the school and its teachers.
"We have a lot of military around here, and so there are Navy Chiefs coming in, taking their time just to be with their kids and help out the community," said Jason Garcia, a local parent and volunteer.
The three-day event raised money to support students who cannot afford school supplies. After the event, the money raised was locked in an office before it could be added directly to the school's PTA fund.
When PTA members went back to count the money, they learned $3,000 had been stolen.
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The culprit(s) was nowhere to be found and there were no signs of a break-in.
Facilitators have set up a GoFundMe page to try to recoup some of the money lost.
La Mesa police are investigating the incident. So far, no arrests have been made.
