Quesnel RCMP have gone above and beyond after a fundraising jar was stolen from Quesnel Bakery.
Cst. Gurb Dhillon gathered up the detachment and raised $265 for epilepsyQuesnel (eQ) after their funds were stolen on March 10.
Natasha Wasmuth, who has been organizing the monthly fundraiser since 2014, struggled for words when trying to thank the police, and Dhillon in particular.
“He said he would do everything he could, and that was the most truthful thing ever,” she said. “Cst. Dhillon spent hours that day trying to make this better for us, such a wonderful person and Quesnel is so fortunate to have him in our detachment.”
In eight years of fundraising, Wasmuth said she has never had a theft, thinking a glued down jar was a safe setup. The video of the theft, showing a distraction and quick grab proved those thoughts wrong.
“You could tell the thief was very skilled, she knew exactly how to clutch it without being noticed,” Wasmuth said of the video.
A new donation jar featuring stricter security measures was put together immediately. The jar is now chained to a wooden block which is bolted into the counter. Wasmuth said the Quesnel Bakery, Eagle Building Supplies and Crystal Glass moved quickly to donate time and supplies to construct the new jar.
Integris Credit Union also stepped up and donated $400 the day of the theft, and other donations have come pouring in.
“This is the best city,” Wasmuth said. “We know it, the giving hearts here are beyond stellar, every year. I just go ‘wow.’ The way people come together immediately when something goes wrong, or there’s a sadness, it’s instant, and it’s a lot of people. Thank you.”
With events cancelled due to COVID-19 health regulations, the fundraiser eQ is finding other ways to fundraise. They’re selling burgers at Bliss, only available by pre-order. Wasmuth said the goal was to get 300 pre-orders, and they’ve already passed that mark. Alongside the lunch, people will get a donut from Quesnel Bakery, decorated for Global Purple Day. Pre-orders are available by calling Bliss 992-7066. The last day to get an order in is Tuesday, March 23.
To support eQ directly, visit https://join.vghfoundation.ca/epilepsyQuesnel.
READ MORE: Rotary honours epilepsyQuesnel founder Natasha Wasmuth
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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