Local biz owner to help out Lynn Y

LYNN – Their hard earned cash may have been ripped off over the weekend, but students in the Greater Lynn YMCA’s After School Child Care Program won’t be down and out for long.Less than 24 hours after The Item first reported the theft of $115 in cash raised by the children selling slush this summer, one local business owner is stepping up to replace the missing funds.Revere resident Matt Boccuzzi has owned the Emporium Thrift Shop in Market Square for nearly 20 years, and said reading about the heartless robbery has inspired him to give back to the community by replacing the money.”I just read that story and I think it is terrible,” he said. “I know a lot of the folks whose kids are affected by this are not in the position to throw together some money to cover the loss.”Police say that someone broke in to the YMCA’s Child Care offices over the weekend, turning the place upside down. The vandals threw papers, kicked open doors and scribbled obscenities all over the floors and the walls.At some point during the incident, the assailants came across money that students had raised selling slush this summer, and lifted the cash that students hadn’t even decided how to spend.Boccuzzi said he uses that YMCA location from time to time himself, and put his children through after school programs at the Revere YMCA facility in the past. His daughter even volunteered at the YMCA when she reached an older age.”I think it is just the right thing to do,” he said. “In fact, I know it is the right thing to do to give back to this community.”YMCA Childcare Director Tony Bellerose said he was stunned when he came into work on Wednesday morning and was told a check had been dropped off to replace the slush fund money that was stolen.”I received several calls and emails after that too,” he said. “I told people the money had been replaced and I didn’t feel right about taking more, but some people insisted I take it anyway for the kids. The Lynn firefighters gave us some money even though I told them what was taken had been replaced.”Bellerose said the children at the YMCA were upset by the theft and Wednesday he told them everything happens for a reason.”Sometimes bad things happen to remind you of all the good,” he said. “There are a lot of good people in the world and a lot of good people here in Lynn. I am so overwhelmed by the support we’ve received.”Greater Lynn YMCA CEO Bruce Macdonald said he is humbled by the community support.”It’s humbling, especially in a time when the economy is so tough,” he said. “We had guys in the locker room taking up a collection this morning. We’ve been upfront and told people the money has been replaced. But we’ve had some people still donate even though they were told the money has been replaced. Every penny will go towards the kids.”Tania Buck-Ruffen, who is the childcare director for Greater Lynn YMCA Childcare Programs, said she is grateful for the support.”There are a lot of good people out there,” she said. “We’re very appreciative.”