Follow-ups: Sequim Boy Scouts see support pour in after theft

By Matthew Nash • December 19, 2018 1:30 am
Members of Boy Scout Troop 90 in Sequim along with Scoutmaster Rene Nadon, left, and Assistant Scoutmaster Ken Smith, right, say they appreciate the support community members provided after about $9000 in camping equipment was stolen from their trailer. “The community has been phenomenal,” Nadon said. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
Members of Boy Scout Troop 90 in Sequim along with Scoutmaster Rene Nadon, left, and Assistant Scoutmaster Ken Smith, right, say they appreciate the support community members provided after about $9000 in camping equipment was stolen from their trailer. “The community has been phenomenal,” Nadon said. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Week to week, reporters cover dozens of stories from the heartbreaking to heartwarming. Here, we take a moment to revisit previous stories to update the community on their latest developments.

Troop 90 sees support after trailer theft

Less than one week after it went public that a thief or thieves burglarized Sequim Boy Scout Troop 90’s storage trailer, community members stepped up to show their appreciation for the service-minded group.

Scoutmaster Rene Nadon said since the story “Trailer theft leaves Boy Scouts without $900 in camping equipment” ran on Dec. 12, he’s received a number of emails in support.

“The community has been phenomenal,” he said.

Support has ranged from a commitment for a $900 check from an anonymous donor to multiple offers to buy missing equipment to an offer to pay for several scouts’ summer camp registrations.

Nadon discovered the troop’s trailer broken into on Nov. 9 outside their meeting spot at Trinity United Methodist Church. A thief or thieves pried open the trailer’s side door, the Sequim Police Department reported, and some of the equipment stolen included propane camping stoves, Dutch ovens and more.

Sequim Police report the theft occurred sometime between Oct. 20-Nov. 9 and that there aren’t any leads or suspects.

Andy Benitez, the troop’s senior patrol leader, said he felt annoyed when he learned of the theft.

“Who steals from a Boy Scout trailer knowing it belongs to scouts?” he said.

Benitez and other scouts and leaders appreciate the outpouring of support in such a short amount of time.

“We’re thankful for what the community has done and offered to do,” Nadon said.

With support in place, troop leaders don’t anticipate missing a bear when they begin camping again in February.

For Benitez, scouting means a lot.

“It’s about leadership, learning new skills, and having fun with your friends in a safe place,” he said.

Sequim’s Troop 90 celebrates 94 years in April 2019, and meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave. For more information and/or to help the troop, contact Rene Nadon at RMNadon@gmail.com. Nadon said he’s trying his best to reply as soon as possible.

With any information about the theft, call Sequim Police Department at 360-683-7227.

Black Bear helps fire victims

Sequim Black Bear Diner, 1471 E. Washington St., was one of many franchise locations to support employees who worked at the Black Bear Diner in Paradise, Calif., that was lost in the Camp Fire in Northern California.

Bret Wirta, owner of the Sequim restaurant, said the restaurants raised about $61,000 with 10 percent of sales on Dec. 5 going to the Paradise employees. (An announcement of the dine-and-donate event was in the Dec. 5 “Business briefs” and on social media; the brief incorrectly stated 15 percent of sales went to the Paradise employees.)

For more information about the Sequim diner, call 360-504-2950.

River’s support pours out

Three years in and 12-year-old River Jensen continues to show love through personal care. Following the recent story “River’s gift that keeps on giving” on Nov. 28, River’s mom Anna Jensen said the family began donating toiletries last weekend and intend to provide more gift bags on Christmas Eve for the Salvation Army in Port Angeles and at more events to follow.

Anna said River and family members started the season providing 150 toiletry bags tin Seattle’s Pioneer Square on Dec. 15; the remaining gift bags will be donated on the Olympic Peninsula.

The family estimates they have about 1,180 toiletry bags collected and organized in their home and storage unit so far including toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, new socks, feminine hygiene products and more.

The Jensens last year donated nearly 1,600 gift bags for the homeless on the peninsula and in Seattle.

Donations of new toiletries are accepted at Full Moon Candle, 609 W. Washington St., suite #13, Sequim, and at Spotlight Tanning, 715 E. First St., Port Angeles.

For more information, look for “River’s Christmas Project: A Kid With a Cause” on Facebook.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

River Jensen, left, started sharing toiletry gift bags on Dec. 15 with help from her brother Canyon and cousin Grace in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. It’s the third year she’s collected and donated gift bags to homeless and at-risk individuals in Seattle and on the Olympic Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Dana Jensen

River Jensen, left, started sharing toiletry gift bags on Dec. 15 with help from her brother Canyon and cousin Grace in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. It’s the third year she’s collected and donated gift bags to homeless and at-risk individuals in Seattle and on the Olympic Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Dana Jensen