Beverly Couple Replace Money Stolen from Oak Lawn Salvation Army Kettle

A big hearted, personal injury attorney from Beverly and his wife have reached out to the Salvation Army to replace the kettle and cash reported stolen Tuesday evening from an Oak Lawn Walgreens.

Michael McCready and his wife, Denise, were so moved -- and angered -- by the story of the Salvation Army’s stolen red kettle, that they contacted the charitable organization and doubled the estimated $400 that was stolen in the holiday heist.

“All of a sudden you hear of something happening in your neighborhood on the news and your ears perk up,” McCready told Patch. “My wife and I just thought it was horrible and that it happened so close to home and where we work.”

According to reports, the bell ringer had stepped away from the kettle where she had been collecting donations outside the Walgreens at 6201 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. When she returned from her break, the kettle and stand were gone.

McCready heads up the law firm of McCready, Garcia and Leet at 10008 S. Western Ave. in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood. His firm regularly donates to community organizations and causes throughout the year.

Two of the firm’s paralegals and half of its clients are Oak Lawn residents, he said.

“We wanted to make a bad situation better,” McCready continued. “Everyone knows the Salvation Army. We thought it was important to give back. I’m hoping it spurs others to do the same thing.”

Salvation Army Metropolitan Chicago spokeswoman Whitney Lewis said the organization appreciated the McCreadys’ donation of $800 to replace the stolen kettle proceeds.

“The call was unexpected and we’re more than grateful for receiving it,” Lewis said.

The Salvation Army red kettles that have been a symbol of the holiday season for over 100 years are locked and secured to stands. Lewis said the kettles are pretty hard to crack open.

“We want the kettles to be hard for anybody to open,” she said. “Whoever took it is probably trying to open it right now.”

The organization also takes measures to make sure that its bell ringers are safe. The Salvation Army collects donations outside of businesses that are well lit and have security cameras.

As for the bell ringer outside the Oak Lawn Walgreens, Lewis said she’ll be ringing again.

“They’re allowed to take breaks or go inside to warm up. She didn’t lose her job. This wasn’t her fault.”