KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A fireworks stand in Kansas City, Kansas, was hit by robbers overnight, and the victims say the alleged thieves stole more than just money.
The Freedom Hoops stand near 39th Avenue and Mission Road acts as a fundraiser for the nonprofit, which uses basketball as a way to mentor and transform youth in the community.
"I was disappointed too, just like man, why you trying to take away from kids," Freedom Hoops founder Michael Loney said Wednesday.
Freedom Hoops was hoping to raise $15,000 from fireworks sales to help pay for camp, tournaments, food and other outings.
Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, Loney found the mess inside the tent.
"My wife actually was here first and I walked in after her, and a bunch of stuff was just pushed over and boxes everywhere," Loney said.
On Tuesday night, Loney said the stand had received another shipment of fireworks. If the fireworks had been sold at full price, he said it would have equaled $3,000.
"They took cases of stuff, they didn't take individual stuff," he said.
Now, in order to reach their goal, Loney said they will need to sell all the fireworks at the stand, as well as receive generous donations.
The stand is located at 3909 Mission Road in KCK and is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m.
