An Iraq war veteran and his fiancee are receiving an outpouring of support after their home was burglarized while the woman was giving birth, CNN affiliate WBNS reports.

While Tonya Verduga was giving birth at a Columbus, Ohio, hospital with military veteran Tom Sheehan at her side, thieves were ransacking their house and making off with TVs, a laptop, jewelry and Christmas presents for the baby and for Verduga's two sons from a previous marriage, the station reported.

"From the ultimate high to just wanting to scream," said Sheehan, who returned from his most recent tour in Iraq in August. "(I'm) just so angry and upset."

But their community is making things right. Members of the Liberty Township Fire Department are adopting the family, and two VFW posts are collecting gifts and donations, WBNS reported.

Philanthropist Mae McCorkle wrote the couple a check for $5,000.

"It's an overwhelming feeling, knowing that you can get care like that from a complete stranger. ... It makes your heart melt knowing that there's people who would do that for you," Sheehan told the station.