Generous CTV News viewers have brought Christmas back to a young Vancouver girl with special needs who was the victim of a Grinch-like thief this week.
Single father Paul Thandi and his 12-year-old daughter Jayda were shocked and saddened to find their inflatable frontyard decorations stolen Monday evening.
Thankfully, their story touched the hearts of some real-life Santa Clauses, who stepped up and replaced the festive display on Christmas Eve.
“I really wanted to help out,” donor Mark Dhaliwal said. “I didn’t want her to not have her inflatables for Christmas.”
Viewers dropped off two inflatable snowmen, a Minnie Mouse, a reindeer, and a big Santa Claus.
Thandi said the outpouring of support means a lot to his daughter, who was born with a rare genetic condition called Charge Syndrome. She is visually impaired, but can see big, bright decorations.
“To hear Jayda scream in happiness, I’m so happy,” he said. “This actually exceeded what we had before.”
Monday’s theft wasn’t the first time the South Vancouver home has been targeted. Thandi said another Grinch visited the house just before Christmas 10 years ago, but Jayda was fortunately too young to notice.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson
