KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan is grappling with a significant financial and operational challenge after thieves stole a high-value HVAC unit from the nonprofit’s building earlier this week.
The theft occurred on Thursday at the organization’s headquarters located at 3501 Covington Road, near Sprinkle Road. Despite being housed in a locked and alarmed enclosure, the HVAC unit was taken in what CEO Amy Kuchta described as a “speechless” and unprecedented event.
“We have never heard of something like this happening,” Kuchta said. “As I speak with others, everyone seems surprised too.”
Officials believe the perpetrators climbed over the enclosure wall to gain access and then managed to remove the bulky unit, which is valued at more than $150,000. The nonprofit has since filed a police report and is receiving support from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in the investigation.
The stolen unit not only represents a substantial financial loss but also poses immediate challenges for the organization’s daily operations. While many mentoring programs can continue remotely, Kuchta and staff worry about the impact of the lack of air conditioning on in-person collaboration and overall staff productivity, particularly as warmer weather approaches.
“As a mission-driven organization, every dollar we receive is meant to support our programs and the young people we serve,” Kuchta said in a statement. “To have resources diverted because of a senseless theft is frustrating and heartbreaking. But we are resilient—and we know our community is too.”
In addition to the cost of replacing the HVAC unit, the nonprofit will need to invest in modifying the enclosure to prevent future thefts. The organization is hopeful that increased community awareness and support will help them recover from this setback and continue providing critical services to youth in Southwest Michigan.
