Good Cheer asks thief to return missing history
Published 5:00 am Friday, February 2, 2007
Good Cheer volunteers and officials urge the thief who recently stole a safe from the food bank to return a vital piece of Good Cheer history that was tucked inside.
Kathy Mclaughlin, executive director of Good Cheer, said donors have been generous after the burglary. Good Cheer has increased its security system to include a bolted-down safe, additional deadlocks on all doors, and a newly installed alarm system.
But there is one thing that can’t be fixed or replaced.
“The only lingering sadness is the loss of all the original documentation and incorporation papers dated
Dec. 14, 1966, with all the original founders of Good Cheer’s signatures. It would truly be a blessing if those would be returned, as they are something that just can’t be replaced. No questions would be asked,” she said.
The original signers were Ernest Noble, Ted Pong, Mrs. Willard Mahan, Kenneth MacLagan, Kenneth N. Olson, Donald O. Nelson, O.C. Murphy, Mrs. H.M. Double, Dora W. Rossman, Marion G. Howe and Helen K. Ellingson.
“It’s worthless for the thief, but it means a lot to us,” McLaughlin said.
Good Cheer is hoping that anyone who has the papers will return them to the store on Anthes Avenue in Langley, or mail the documents to 114 Anthes Ave. or PO Box 144, Langley, WA 98260.
McLaughlin added that Good Cheer is generally interested in learning more about its history. Anyone that would like to share what they know about the beginning of the organization should contact her at 221-6454.
The investigation of the incident is still underway.
“People tell us here and there, they know who did it,” McLaughlin added. “But nothing yet.”
Good Cheer in Langley was burglarized Jan. 9 and the food bank’s safe was taken, along with $1,000 in cash and a number of gift certificates to Pay-Less and Lind’s Pharmacy.
McLaughlin said the outpour of support from the community was overwhelming. One family, Carol-Lee and Woody Hershman of Langley, donated $1,000 after they read about the burglary in The Record.
And more good news has followed.
“I just opened my mail and Kim, Jay Blaine’s wife, owner of Pay-Less, sent us a check for $1,200 to replace the value of the Pay-Less gift certificates that were in the safe. Another example of the generosity and commitment of the caring South Whidbey community,” McLaughlin said.
Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or mmarx
wheatley@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
