The owner of the Underground Gym says his house was broken into yesterday. Peter Panetta alerted the public on social media about his concerns over the thieves taking charity tax receipts that were meant for his fundraising efforts for the gym.
Panetta explains that a lot of items were stolen, but he is most concerned about the tax receipt books being stolen. He tells us he is afraid that the robbers will try to solicit funds for the gym and pocket the money.
“I’m trying to reach as many people as possible [so] that they’re aware that this could be happening. Because I do not solicit funds door-to-door, or to businesses, that’s something that I’ve never done.”
“They have the tax receipt book there to make it [look] legit, and it would be pretty easy for people to donate.”
The Underground Gym was badly damaged in a fire in November on Simpson Street.
Thunder Bay Police are confirming they are looking into a break and enter involving this matter.
Panetta says this doesn’t get in the way of his efforts to get the gym back up and running. He continues to look for a new facility for the initiative to give disadvantaged youth a place to go, and is still working with some of the children from the gym.
