FORT WORTH-- Thieves broke into a classroom at J.P. Elder Middle School over the Thanksgiving break, making off with $2,000 worth of equipment used by the Junior Cadet Corps and vandalizing school property.
On Wednesday, one of Santa's helpers stepped in to help cover the loss.An anonymous donor gave $1,060 to the cadets, defending champions of the National Middle School Drill Competition."Someone dropped a check off at the school and it said it was from 'Santa,'" said Farley Simon, J.P. Elder's Junior Cadet Corps instructor and a retired Marine gunnery sergeant. "We have no idea who it is."The stolen items included five replica M-1 drill rifles valued at $90 apiece and a ceremonial metal sword that Simon donated to the program worth $400. Military-style boots and soda and candy used for student fundraisers were also stolen.The U.S. and Texas flags were on the ground and will need to be replaced, Simon said."The classroom itself was a mess," Simon said. "They tore it up pretty well."Simon has arranged to borrow equipment from other schools for a contest this weekend because it is too late to order replacements. Cadet teams from 15 Fort Worth middle schools are scheduled to compete Saturday at Trimble Tech High School.The cadets were getting in some extra practice during the weeklong Thanksgiving vacation when they discovered the break-in.Fort Worth schools officials estimate damage to the building at $450.Police Chief Jeff Halstead said the donor is an area businessman who saw a news report about the break-in and, along with friends, wanted to help. The man contacted Halstead for more information, and they added up the value of the items listed on the police report. The donor bought a cashier's check, which he signed "Santa.""They want nothing in return," Halstead said.After this weekend's contest, the 175 cadets will begin fundraising, including carwashes and other activities that won't require them to keep goods at the school that could draw burglars, Simon said.The Junior Cadet Corps is an elective class open to students in the sixth through eighth grades. It emphasizes leadership development, teamwork, patriotism and citizenship, according to school district information.The J.P. Elder corps will defend its title in April in Fort Worth. The corps won the title in March competing with schools from Illinois, Kansas and Texas.Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326Twitter: @jessamybrownHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
