Printer gives banners to aid search
“I would hate to think that if something like this would happen to my kids that for one to three days they get coverage and then that’s it — everyone goes on about their day.” Marco Garcia, owner of Creative Mango
Banners of Lina Sardar Khil’s young face are pinned to residential fences, posted on business windows, and hanging on the back of tow trucks around San Antonio.
The 3-foot-by-5-foot posters include the word “missing” at the top, with the 3-year-old’s name and the phone number to the San Antonio Police Department’s missing persons unit.
Marco Garcia, who owns local printing and label design company the Creative Mango, started giving them out a week after Lina’s disappearance.
“I would hate to think that if something like this would happen to my kids that for one to three days they get coverage and then that’s it — everyone goes on about their day,” Garcia said.
The 38-year-old has a young daughter of his own, along with a young son.
“I would want the world to completely stop and know that people would stop doing what they’re doing to help me find my kids,” he said.
Lina went missing about two weeks ago from the
Villas del Cabo apartment complex near the Medical Center.
Garcia initially set out to give away 100 banners, but thanks to material and monetary donations, he has given out 120 and has supplies and funds to make at least 250 more. A banner this size normally sells for about $75, meaning Garcia has given away about $9,000 worth of product.
Although he does not require anyone to donate money to receive banners, Garcia said that he has received about $200 in donations. And when representatives of Roland DGA Corp. — which sells printers, among other products — heard about the Creative Mango’s efforts, they donated material.
Garcia’s first banners used the word “abduction.” But since police have been treating it as a missing persons case, they now read: “If you have any information regarding Lina Sardar Khil please call San Antonio Police Department 210-207-7660.”
You can pick up one — or more — from the Creative Mango office at 1203 Buena Vista St. #101. Garcia said Google Maps still shows the company’s previous address, but that should be fixed later this week.
Garcia has seen business owners and community members alike picking up banners to hang at their homes and workplaces. And it’s not just San Antonians: He receives requests from places like Boerne and areas near Dallas.
He said he is glad that people are coming together to find Lina.
“The Lord blessed me with this company,” Garcia said, “and if I can use my services to help out someone in need, I’m here to do whatever I can.”