Thieves target San Antonio Christian school, stealing lawn equipment

SAN ANTONIO — It was Memorial Day weekend 2022 when thieves targeted River City Fellowship Christian School, stealing all the equipment used to maintain their grounds.

“We had a commercial mower that we used, a couple of smaller walk-behinds and those we had about three at the time. We had some weed-eaters, chainsaws, even rakes and shovels,” said Ezzard Castillo, head of the school.

Castillo says the theft was devastating to their small school that was already struggling with enrollment after the pandemic.

Castillo also says it’s been difficult having to pay a landscaper to maintain the ground that total about 15 acres, including six acres that are not being used.

“They want to hit us with thousands of dollars for it you know. In fact, we had one guy that was charging me at the time about $4,000 a month,” said Castillo.

Castillo says the equipment was also used to teach students life skills. 

A grandfather of one student currently enrolled wanted to help so he found a used tractor and started a GoFundMe to raise the money to purchase it. Their goal is $20,000 and so far, they have raised just under $2,000.

“Those of you that are willing to consider this and keep us going, keep the cost down, because that’s what we’re trying to do. Help youth and you can be a contributing factor to helping students that believe they can’t, and find out that they can, and they will,” said Castillo.

If you would like to help River City Christian School you can click here.

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