Help Pours In for Clients of Cerebral Palsy Center

More than 120 people made offers Thursday to buy new computer equipment for clients of the Cerebral Palsy Westside Activities Center, which lost its three specially equipped computers to burglars earlier this week.

A Long Beach couple, who asked to remain anonymous, dropped off a $10,000 check at the center. That alone was more than the value of the three computers.

“Just knowing that there are people out there who really care has given everyone here so much hope,” said Terri Lantz, executive director of the center. “Things are looking up. . . . For every bolt cutter and bad person out there, there is someone with a good heart.”

The burglary early Tuesday left dozens of disabled children and adults without a way to communicate and halted job training efforts at the Venice Boulevard center. The nonprofit organization, which is part of United Cerebral Palsy Los Angeles, had only recently purchased the computers and lacked the funds to replace them.

But after The Times published an article Thursday about the burglary, the center was flooded with calls from people who wanted to help.

Friends and families of the disabled called to offer money. A community foundation offered to provide up to $7,000 to replace the $6,500 worth of equipment. Several computer manufacturers and distributors called to donate equipment. And a well-known celebrity, who wanted to remain anonymous, called to find out where to send a check.

John Riordan had stopped by Wednesday to invite the clients of the center to a dinner with the Culver City Kiwanis Club. He was so angered by word of the burglary that he went to an office supply store and bought a $229 fax machine to replace the one that was stolen.

“Everyone was so sad, and it was very upsetting,” Riordan said. “They were totally put out of business without their fax machine and computer.”

Bob Emett, chief financial officer for United Cerebral Palsy Los Angeles, said the organization had never seen such an outpouring of support. He said it plans to set up a fund to coordinate donations.

“We are stunned by all the people who are willing to help,” Emett said.

The burglars broke in by bypassing the alarm system and cutting the wrought iron bars on the windows. They cut several of the phone lines in the office and shattered a glass window to get at the two specially equipped computers operated by voice commands, foot and head controls. They also took the computer that stored all 45 client files.

Lantz said the burglary has forced the center, which provides job training and a social outlet to dozens of adults and children with the debilitating muscular condition, to beef up security and think about relocating.

Those interested in making donations may call (818) 782-2211 Ext. 415.