JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local restaurant that had a money stolen out of a donation jar meant for Toys for Tots is now able to give many children gifts for the holidays after the community pitched in to help.
Action News Jax first told you last week about a man being captured on surveillance video taking money from a jar of tips at the Flame Broiler restaurant near J. Turner Butler Boulevard and Philips Highway.
Restaurant owner Jackie Grzebin said at that time that the jar had about $50 to $100 inside.
After our story aired, store manager Jarrell Coleman sent us a Facebook message saying the restaurant received a total of $800 in donations to buy toys for children.
Coleman said people were dropping off money like crazy. He said a few people gave $100 and one person gave $200. Coleman said one man sat outside of the restaurant until it opened to give $100 toward the fundraising effort for Toys for Tots.