When San Diego native Tina Villegas opened up to the media about her horrific experience raising money for disabled veterans, it wasn’t to gain sympathy or compassion from the public. It was to do what she intended all along: to help vets.

Villegas, whose father served in the United States Navy, collects items for the nonprofit DAV, which manages a bunch of thrift stores — the proceeds of which are charity.

According to account to 10NEWS, on a quiet Thursday night, the charitable military daughter set out a bunch of valuable items on her driveway which were going directly to DAV in the morning. When she awoke, however, they were gone. Stolen. Despite a having the label “Benefitting Disabled American Veterans” on them.

Essentially, 700 dollars ripped from a caring donation box, and into a criminal’s pocket.

“How could you take from disabled veterans? How could you?” Villegas told reporters.

She’s urging people who read this frustrating tale go out and make up the difference — donate to a veteran cause or charity and make a difference in the lives of those Americans that served.

A little over a week ago, another San Diego woman had donations stolen from her driveway as well. In her case, surveillance cameras picked up the thieves in living color, and in broad daylight (another 10NEWS report):