A Tucson non-profit is asking for the communityโ€™s help after a theft Tuesday night of equipment used by athletes with physical and mental disabilities.

Team Hoyt Arizona was founded in March 2016 by Steve and Denise King. The goal: inclusion in athletic competition.

It gives athletes with physical and mental disabilities unable to compete solo the opportunity to be a part of a team, participating in events across the state.

A break-in Tuesday night of the team trailer kept at the founderโ€™s home near West Roger and North Flowing Wells roads resulted in the group losing about $20,000 in race chairs and other equipment, according to Jenny Hall, the organizationโ€™s social media manager. In total, five black folding race chairs, two running chairs, a generator as well as an Adaptive Star rolling chair meant for adults was stolen, she said.

โ€œThis has a tremendous impact on [the organization],โ€ Hall said. โ€œWe have to take funds that weโ€™d normally allocate to race fees and their families [to see what we can replace] and thatโ€™s going to cut into the race season.โ€

These funds, Hall says, are to cover race-day expenses for both athletes and their families.

Photos provided to the Arizona Daily Star show a broken lock on the entryway of the trailer and another showing the trailer empty of the equipment usually stored there.

Team Hoyt Arizonaโ€™s first event was going to be on Sunday, the TMC Tucson 10K. Not only has the theft been a stressful way to start the 2023 season, but Hall also says this could spell trouble for organization in the near future.

โ€œWeโ€™re either going to have to ask our families to either start helping to pay for races, or weโ€™re going to have to hold off on anyone running with us for a while,โ€ she said.

A report has been filed with the Tucson Police Department.

Hall and members of the team are asking the Tucson community to be on the lookout for the stolen items.

A fundraising event to recoup some of the losses is being planned for the near future, Hall said. If anyone is interested in ways to help, follow the organizationโ€™s Facebook page for updates.

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