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Retired contractor donates tools to man whose van was stolen


Donald Thela speaks with NBC 10 News on his mission to help a Fall River man who lost thousands of dollars' worth of tools after his van was stolen from a Lowe's parking lot. (WJAR){ }
Donald Thela speaks with NBC 10 News on his mission to help a Fall River man who lost thousands of dollars' worth of tools after his van was stolen from a Lowe's parking lot. (WJAR)
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As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Donald Thela has a war chest of power tools and construction materials at his North Kingstown home. He said they don’t get much use anymore since he retired as a contractor six months ago.

“I’ve been trying to sell some of it,” he told NBC 10 News.

Thela said he found a new home for some of them after watching one of our stories on NBC 10 News. The story featured Juan Carlos Morales. He talked to us after his van was stolen from a Lowe’s parking lot in North Providence Monday morning.

“Well, I got a lot of tools that I’m not going to sell. He might as well have them,” Thela explained. “A terrible thing to lose a truck with everything in it.”

Morales said the truck had thousands of dollars worth of tools he used for his job as a carpenter.

“Before, I thought it was a dream but it’s real,” said Morales. “It’s difficult because when I go outside, I don’t see my van and I can’t work.”

Thela saw the story and reached out to NBC 10 News. He’s now donating his own tools to replace the ones Morales lost.

“Well, it’s great. They’re going to somebody who can use the tools and I don’t need them anymore, so he can have them,” said Thela.

Morales said he’s been getting donations from some of his friends and family as well. He said he’s grateful for Thela’s helping hand.

“I’m happy because around me has been a lot of good people so that makes me happy because they helped me a lot,” he said.

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