Police are searching for a "Grinch" in Bristol where someone damaged dozens of Christmas trees that were going to be sold in a fund raiser for a historical museum.
The generosity of local residents may have saved the day, however.
Bob Montgomery, of the Bristol Historical Society, said Tuesday vandals cut the tops off of almost all of the Christmas trees for sale at the historical society.
"We're upbeat people and we find it hard to believe that someone could do this," Montgomery said. "There are some people who are unhappy these are tough times and i guess they want other people to be unhappy too," he added.
But no Grinch was going to steal this Christmas.
The historical society decided to go ahead with their annual fund raiser - discounting the damaged trees. And, the community has responded in the spirit of the season
"When we read about the vandalism, we thought it would be a good idea to come down and purchase one, not just for the tree but other reasons as well," explained Phil Meusel of Bristol. He was one of the folks who bought a tree.
Meusel said he usually buys his tree elsewhere but, like so many others, he wanted to make the best of a bad situation.
"Once you mount your ornament on top, I don't know if it really makes a difference," Meusel quipped.
Montgomery said the tree purchases appear to be hiding the real gesture, "other people have come and said i want to pay the full price on your biggest tree whether they got the biggest one or not."
Even though the vandals cut the tops off the trees, organizers are optimistic they may not cut into the profits.
The trees are for sale Monday through Friday evenings between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays 10-6.
