STOCKTON, Calif. (CBS13) –– Charity volunteers are planning to move forward with a weekend project to help a family in need, but their job will be much more difficult thanks to the theft of thousands of dollars in construction tools.

George Keortzen said his collection of tools, worth about $10,000, was stolen from a locked trailer on a Habitat for Humanity construction site in a Stockton subdivision.

“When I first looked at it, my heart sank to my boots,” Keortzen said.

Koertzen, who has worked in construction for more than 40 years, said he suspects the culprits had no idea they were stealing from a non-profit organization and will try to sell off the equipment.

“To stop somebody else from being able to work is one of the worst things I can think to do,” he said.

Volunteers started work on the home for a family with seven children just last weekend, and even though the work will be more difficult without the tools, they plan to continue building the house this weekend.

“We will be working on Saturday. Whatever it takes, we will be working on Saturday,” Keortzen said.