Neighbors Replace Toms River Family's Stolen Olaf

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- It was, Allison Best says, “just an inflatable.”

But a simple post asking the thief to return the decoration -- a blowup version of the snowman Olaf from the Disney movie ”Frozen” -- turned into an outpouring of kindness that has left the Toms River family simply stunned.

“My intention was to bring attention to what is happening in our neighborhood,” Best said of her original post on the Toms River Patch, where she merely asked for help in spreading the word that Olaf had been taken, leaving her 3-year-old daughter heartbroken.

The sharing of her post resulted in a lesson not only in the power of social media, but in the power of good: the family was contacted by representatives of Hammacher Schlemmer with an offer to replace it. That kindness was matched by the kindness of neighbors, Best wrote in an update:

“We are completely overwhelmed with the gracious response we are receiving from our wonderful neighbors here in Toms River who have read and shared our earlier post about our missing Christmas decoration. What this morning was a super sad and upsetting experience of not understanding who could do this, has turned into a warm and welcomingly pleasant experience of support from individuals we have never even met, who we now know as our neighbors.

“We came home to an incredible family at our our door who actually purchased an Olaf inflatable for our daughter and son. How unbelievably generous!! We are at a loss of words. Have also had other amazing neighbors bring us cookies and come tell us how they have enjoyed our display. Another gracious individual read this post and went out of her way to contact the company who distributes the Olaf inflatables (which of course if another arrives it will be given to our neighbors or donated),” Best wrote.

“I am literally in tears,” she wrote.

“Our goal was to make this holiday season magical for our children but we had no idea the impact and happiness our display has brought to other people. Thank you to everyone, it means so much,” Best wrote.

Best said she never imagined how much the story would touch others.

“I am at a loss of words with the generosity of wonderful people like yourself and our neighbors here in town,” she wrote, replying to the woman who put Hammacher Schlemmer representatives in touch with the family. “Thank you for taking time out of your day to try to help us. It is much appreciated.”

“This morning my objective in writing this was with hopes that whomever had the inflatable would listen to their conscience and return it. That may be a naive thought but it is still something I believe may happen,” Best wrote. “This is a Christmas/holiday blessing.”