By SALINA POST
Thieves have rendered the Salina Area United Way's Community Action Mobile Outreach vehicle inoperable and now the organization is faced with a large bill to get it going again.
In late May, United Way staff noticed that the vehicle, known as the CAMO Van, wouldn't start. The vehicle had been parked in the lot next to the non-profit, which is located at 113 N. Seventh Street, Suite 201.
A mechanic checked the CAMO Van and determined that someone had stolen the vehicle's catalytic converter and cut electrical wires in the vehicle, according to information from the United Way.
It will cost the United Way more than $1,200 to have the wiring repaired and the catalytic converter replaced.
During the summer, the Salina Area United Way uses the CAMO Van to transport books to eight summer meal sites as a part of the agency's eight-week summer reading program, Raising Active Wild Readers (RAWR). Last summer, volunteers and staff used the CAMO Van to distribute 2030 books to children, partnering with USD 305 during the pandemic.
“It’s a real blow to our budget. Just think how many books we could purchase for the Raising Active Wild Readers, RAWR, program, with $1,200,” said Salina Area United Way Program Director Brenda Gutierrez.
A fund has been set up at the Salina Area United Way to help cover repair costs for the CAMO Van, Gutierrez said.
If you would like to help out, please send a check to:
Salina Area United Way
113 N. Seventh Street, Suite 201
Salina, KS 67401
Please write "CAMO Van" in the memo line of check donations.