ABC11 viewers help Willow Spring family after Christmas presents stolen
WILLOW SPRING, N.C. (WTVD) -- There are two things you notice about Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Ramanna when you meet him for the first time: He looks you straight in the eye - making it clear that he'll do what it takes to protect his family. Then, when you shake his hand, his grip leaves no doubt that he's got the military muscle to neutralize a threat.
But he declined our request to comment on the break-in at his home that happened Monday while he was away serving his country. He had his wife Jennifer do all the talking when we checked in with the family on Sunday, to see how they're recovering from the loss of precious keepsakes to the thieves who even stole family Christmas presents from under the tree while no one was at home.
However, Sgt. Ramanna returned to his repaired home for Christmas, as a Go Fund Me campaign closes in on a $5,000 goal - money that will help replace gifts and pay for the damage those crooks left behind.
Jennifer smiled as she told us, "The outpouring of generosity has just been amazing!"
She called the response to the online fundraiser for her family "unbelievable!"
"Mark Muntner, who is my cousin's fiancee, started this whole thing after he found out from my mom," she explained.
Jennifer wants to let all the people who helped her know how much she appreciated their support. From Maurice, the Home Depot worker who helped her pick a sturdy door that replaced the one busted by those thieves, to the support shown by her neighbors, many of whom she never met before this happened. They're about to form a neighborhood watch.
Now, she's looking forward to the day when the law catches up with the people who stole the possessions but couldn't damage the family's joy and appreciation.
"I would love the opportunity just to yell at them and scream at them, and I'm sure my husband would like to do some things, too," she said.
