Foundation devastated after finding nearly completed home in St. George vandalized

Vandalism that was discovered in "The Giving House," a project by Homes for Hearts Foundation, in St. George, Utah, May 31, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Homes for Hearts Foundation, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A foundation that focuses on giving back to the community is dealing with a “heartbreaking” obstacle after finding one of its projects vandalized Friday morning.

Homes for Hearts is a St. George nonprofit that aims to give back to the community by providing a significant reduction in costs during the real estate process for those who work in the service community, such as firefighters, police officers, former or active military members, teachers and those who foster or have adopted families.

The project called “The Giving House” was found with paint, stain and calking strewn throughout the entire house when members went to work on it Friday morning. It was reportedly vandalized sometime Thursday night.

“We were three weeks out from completion,” said Cydnee Jacobson, founder of Homes for Hearts.

Jacobson told St. George News the costs of the damage is between at least $15,000 and $20,000, adding that the organization will have to redo floors, walls, windows, doors and more.

Part of the damage to “The Giving House,” a project by the Homes for Hearts Foundation in St. George, Utah, May 31, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Homes for Hearts, St. George News

Whomever did the vandalism came through a window that appeared to be locked but was able to be jimmied open, Jacobson said. That window has now been secured.

The incident was reported to law enforcement, she said.

Homes for Hearts was subsidizing the home and was in the process of accepting nominations from the community when the vandalism happened.

“We’re looking for a community member in need,” Jacobson said. “We’re trying to focus toward a foster family.”

That process has now been halted as a result of the vandalism.

Although Jacobson is devastated and heartbroken due to the incident, she said she’s grateful for the community’s support and offers to help clean the house.

“That’s why we started Homes for Hearts. We love this community, and we just want to help anywhere that we can.”

The foundation is organizing a volunteer cleanup on June 8 at 10 a.m. Anyone who would like to help is asked to bring cleaning supplies like brooms, rags, buckets and shop vacs. More details can be found on the foundation’s Facebook page.

Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews | @markeekaenews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.

 

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