It took just minutes for an ugly theft to be turned into a beautiful outpouring of community support for the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre last weekend.
Party Ponies and Farm Ventures was hosting a fundraiser for the rehabilitation centre on May 3 when a thief took the centre’s large glass donation jar, which was expected to hold anywhere from $300 to $400 at the time.
“Someone saw a man leave with a large bulge under his shirt,” said Irene Davey of the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, noting she had turned her back on the jar for just a moment.
“It was a very large and deep jar and we thought people might reach in and try to take some money out, but it was so big that we never thought anyone would try to take the entire thing.”
The Sunshine Coast RCMP were called to the scene and soon word spread at the event about what had happened.
Within minutes Caroline Gagne of the Sunshine Care Network stepped up to write Davey a cheque for $350 to cover what was lost. “I just couldn’t believe it,” Davey said.
Soon other people who had donated when they arrived started to trickle back to the table to give again, wanting to make up for the loss.
Gagne posted the unfortunate incident on Facebook and one of the first comments came from the owner of Creekside and Bayside Campgrounds, Gary Sigler, who pledged $300 to the rehabilitation centre.
Other individuals also said publicly they would give, and Davey was expecting to see those donations trickle in this week when she spoke with Coast Reporter on May 5.
The annual fundraiser for the rehabilitation centre raised about $1,000 last year, and despite the theft from this year’s event, Davey expects to receive about $2,000 through donations when all is said and done.
“I just want to really thank all those people who came back and donated again because every dollar is really, really appreciated,” Davey said.
Money raised from this year’s event will go toward building three new aviaries to house the many birds the rehabilitation centre helps each season.
“We already have lots of baby birds in and it’s starting to get really busy,” Davey noted.
She wanted to thank the community for their support this week and also to warn others to watch donation jars closely at fundraising events.
“This is the time of year when charities are having most of their events. They should be aware that this could happen and should take the proper precautions,” Davey said.
Sunshine Coast RCMP are still investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to contact them at 604-885-2266 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
