BRENTWOOD, Mo. – The doors of Miriam Switching Post in Brentwood remain shut, serving as a stark reminder of Saturday night’s devastating break-in, hours after their major holiday extravaganza.
Brentwood Police arrived to find that the thieves had gained entry through the back, getting away with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and petty cash—funds raised to help children with learning differences attend the Miriam School and Learning Center.
“This is a huge event for the Switching Post. All year we’ve been collecting things for this particular event. Not only because it’s about raising money to help children, but it’s about bringing the community and St. Louis together as well as our Switching Post community,” Head of Miriam School and Learning Center Meg Bamford said.
The Miriam Switching Post, a St. Louis institution for over 60 years, operates year-round as a resale boutique, with proceeds benefiting children through furniture, décor and more—all donated from the community. Its volunteers, now totaling over 50, share deep connections to the mission.
“That’s a part of what’s so heartbreaking about this burglary; I think we’re up to 54 volunteers now. We have some people that have been doing this for more than 20 years—volunteering. We have some that just started, but everybody’s so invested in the mission, and they even have little competitions who can do the most sales for the money for the kids,” Miriam Switching Post Manager Tracy Frish said.
The loss hits hard, as one in five children lives with a learning disability, making the services funded by Miriam Switching Post crucial. Yet, this setback has only motivated the team. They’re holding a store-wide 10 percent off sale from Thursday to Sunday, hoping to recoup their losses.
FOX 2 reached out to the Brentwood Police Department regarding the burglary, but we have not heard back as of Monday night.
If you would like to donate or volunteer, you can visit the Miriam Switching Post in Brentwood or to click here. The staff states that every purchase and donation will help turn this loss into new opportunities for kids in need.
