Longview, TX — Donations have flooded the Gregg County Welfare Board since more than $20,000 worth of Christmas gifts meant for foster children were stolen from a Longview storage facility.

Board President James Pete said about $53,000 has been donated to the board since the gifts were reported stolen Dec. 7, and several organizations have given toys, as well.

“The end result is better than what we started with the first time,” Pete said Tuesday. “We only had about $20,000 total starting out, and bought gifts on black Friday to get better deals. Because of the amount of money we have received, price isn’t an issue with replacing the gifts, it was just finding what they had on their wish lists.”

Pete said the organization received donations from across the country from businesses and individuals.

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