A Coast Guard family was moving to Florida when they suddenly lost everything. The family had a moving truck all loaded up to journey from California to Pensacola, Florida. But thieves stole the truck and everything they owned. 

Thieves steal a moving truck from a Coast Guard family

25-year-old Desmond Nelton is a husband, father, and Coast Guard member who was ready to embark on a new adventure before disaster struck. 

The family was preparing to move from Montclair, California to Pensacola, Florida, for a new duty station. However, their send off didn’t go as planned. 

Their 26-foot Budget moving truck was stolen during the night from a friend’s home in Oakland, where the family was staying the night before setting out for Pensacola. 

The family including their 5-year-old son, 5-month-old infant, and wife lost everything they had. They only had the clothes on their back left. 

Nelton, the six-year Coast Guard veteran shared that they took everything the family owned, including items that took years to collect and items they wanted to keep for their kids. 

His wife, Alysia, had a box for their 5-year-old son that included his first blanket and binky. Plus, tons of irreplaceable photos that will never be seen again. The police currently don’t have any leads.

When they arrived in Pensacola and emerged from their Jeep Cherokee, they were met with a huge surprise. Volunteers decorated their new yard with an assortment of decorations and lights. 

People surprised them with gifts for their kids and Home Depot gift cards for the parents. A friend launched a GoFundMe campaign that exploded and quickly raised over $20,000 to replace items they lost. 

Truckloads arrived with TVs, toys, and gift cards, including a Santa in camo holding a God Bless America banner. 

Nelton shared that he’s seen the best and worst of humanity in a very short time. But proclaims that his family has seen more good than bad as they experience a Holiday miracle.