[UPDATE: KWWL says the grill reported stolen by the Manchester American Legion has been found, and is being returned].

This time of year is an especially important one for area charities to ramp up their effort to provide for those in need in their community. Unfortunately, it's also when more thieves tend to come out of the woodwork and decimate their efforts when they're needed most.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an organization that collects the materials to make and donate beds to people, particularly kids, in need in Eastern Iowa. Their Jones County chapter was recently robbed of about $8000 worth of those materials and tools. In the last year and a half, chapter Directors Heather and Nic Weers tell KCRG they've donated 140 beds, but at a time when the need is perhaps the greatest, a proverbial Grinch reportedly broke into their storage shed this past weekend.

Prior to the robbery, they still managed to get 10 beds built to donate thanks to volunteers from the Anamosa FFA and tools loaned by the Delaware County Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter, but now they need the community's help in replenishing and recovering their own supplies, so they can do more for kids in Jones County.

Visit their Facebook page here to see how you can help through a donation of funds or tools. They weren't the only area do-gooders to suffer thefts recently. The Manchester American Legion had their grill stolen, one they use for steak-fry fundraisers for the Boy Scouts and other important community events. To see how you can help them you can  visit them on Facebook.

Anyone with information on the Sleep In Heavenly peace incident can contact the Jones County Sheriff’s Office (319)462-4371.

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