WATERFORD, Mich. – Members of Cub Scout Pack 182 in Waterford were shocked last summer when they realized $5,969 had been stolen from their camp fund, money that they had raised through popcorn sales.
The pack's treasurer, Jennifer Aiken, was charged with embezzlement but failed to turn herself in when an arrest warrant for her was issued.
She wasn't heard from for months until Local 4 Defender tracked her down. When confronted Aiken admitted to taking the money and said she did it because she needed to pay her bills.
"I was going through tough times," Aiken said. "Trust me, I wasn't trying to hurt anybody. I know it hurts them and I'm sorry."
After her interview with Local 4, Aiken was arrested. She posted bond and is due in court later this month.
However, the Cub Scouts were still without any money to go to camp. They set up an online fundraising page for help. But after seeing the Cub Scouts' story on Local 4, Richard Beckman of Great Expressions Dental Centers decided to help.
"I just couldn't imagine stealing from little kids," he said.
Beckman, a former Cub Scout, presented the pack with a $6,000 check.
Cub Master Marvin Aranowski said the money will be used to send the 36 boys to camp this summer. The pack will also use the money for awards and pins and also for some community tree-planting projects.
The money that the pack raised through its online fundraising page will be used to send more Cub Scouts to camp.
Statement from the Cooley Elementary PTO
February 16, 2015
On behalf of Cub Scout Pack 182 and the entire Cooley Elementary community, we would like to thank each and every one of you who has reached out to us in support of our scouts. We are so fortunate to be a part of such a caring and generous community. Thank you to Tamarack Camps, Wesleyan Woods Campground, GLFSC, and the Passing Along the Heritage organization for their offers to help the boys. A special thank also goes out to Great Expressions Dental Centers for their generous donation.
We want the community to know that we did not set out on this journey looking for donations. Our only goal was to make sure that the woman who did this to the boys was held accountable for her actions, and thanks to Local 4 and Karen Drew, she will be.
Although we weren't seeking it, we are truly honored and humbled by this outpouring of support we've received. As many of you have said, there are indeed more good people in the world than bad. And thanks to you, our Cub Scouts can see that in their world once again. You've given more than your donations; you've given these little boys a renewed faith in the good of others.
Please rest assured that Pack 182 will be making great use of your support. The boys will be able to attend camp in a few months, will get to do their annual overnight submarine trip this year and will be able to fund community service projects for the Pack, including a cleanup of the Drayton Plains Nature Center. In addition, the Pack is paying it forward with the development of a fund to help scouts in need attend camp and take part in other meaningful scouting activities.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Sincerely,
Cub Scout Pack 182
Cooley Elementary School, Waterford, MI