Boy Scouts Ask For Community Help After Trailer Is Stolen

Stamford CT

22 October, 2021

4:55 PM

Description

STAMFORD, CT — For about 20 years, the trailer for the Boy Scouts of America in Troop 15 has been used to transport equipment and materials to various campouts and outings. But last week, it was stolen from its usual space just outside Temple Sinai on Lakeside Drive in Stamford. Now, Troop 15 is asking for the community's help to purchase a new one. The troop, which has 33 boy scouts from the greater Stamford area, meets every Wednesday night at Temple Sinai. The meeting on Oct. 13 was just like any other meeting, according to Troop Committee Chair Jeff Herz and Scoutmaster Lee Bowbeer. But the next day, when an assistant scoutmaster went to put something into the trailer, they noticed it was gone from its usual parking spot. The equipment inside the trailer was strewn in the nearby woods. Bowbeer filed a police report with the Stamford Police Department, but hasn't heard an update. In other years, Troop 15 relied on selling popcorn to raise a majority of its funds, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, money has been hard to come by. A GoFundMe was set-up last week with a goal of $5,000. The trailer, which hooks up to a car or pick-up truck, is expected to cost between $1,500-$2,500, and then another $500-$1,000 for a security wheel boot. The troop would also need to customize the storage space inside the trailer to house certain equipment and make sure things are stowed tightly. As of Friday afternoon, $2,081 had been raised. Herz and Bowbeer hope to buy a replacement trailer over the winter, and have it ready to go in spring 2022. "For me it was incredibly disappointing on a couple of different points. It has been there for at least 20 years without an issue whatsoever," Herz said. For Bowbeer, an Eagle Scout and a lifelong member of BSA, the brown trailer provided charm and was a part of the Troop 15 experience. The boy scouts were "shocked and in disbelief" when they found out the trailer was gone, Bowbeer said. "The trailer is part of the troop. The boys know the trailer, and they load it and unload it," Bowbeer added. "They argue about who's going to load the trailer. It's part of what we do, and hopefully we'll get a new trailer and the boys will argue over a new one." The timing is especially tough because of next month's "Scoutsgiving" event, a yearly feast in which Troop 15 cooks a traditional Thanksgiving meal over the fire for dozens of people. "We'll have to find people with trucks to help transport some of the things we use," Herz said. Herz and Lee stressed that the theft is no one's fault. They hope to impart a life lesson to the scouts. "Bad stuff happens, and you have to be prepared for that. That's the motto of Boy Scouts: be prepared," Bowbeer said. "In this situation, we thought we were prepared, but we didn't have a wheel lock on. Next time, we're going to be prepared a little more, and that's the message." Residents can donate via the GoFundMe page, or reach out directly to Troop 15 via email at [email protected]. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 15 in Stamford, and how to get involved, click here. GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.