Stolen At Church

[Messenger]

Our ward has been involved in a project to make gift boxes for families and singles. Last night we started an assembly line and put ham, pototoes, oranges, apples and bananas and canned beans into them. Im single and saw my name on the list of people to get a small box. I thought that was nice the bishopric would do that - I dont make a lot of money and it was a kind gesture.

So, last night all the people loaded up their cars with the names of the families and individuals written on the boxes to be delivered. Everyone left and there were only a few people left in the meetinghouse gym. I moved my box off to the side in a corner so I could load it in my car after clean up. I helped everyone clean up and found my box missing. Now, its got my name on it, and thought maybe someone would deliver it. But the thing is, everyone had already left to deliver when I set my box aside. I asked the remaining people about it and they looked dumbfounded.

I really could care less about oranges, apples and potatoes. But the fact that someone (one of only five people left to clean up) would toss it, or take it concerns me. I know each of them. And now I will always think of one of them as a possible theif when I deal with them. I would prefer not to have those thoughts.

On the bright side, after we cleaned up, I went out and delivered 6 of the large boxes to members of our ward. That was a great feeling.

Edited December 21, 2011 by Messenger

[Deborah]

It is always sad when things like that happen at church. I'm in Nursery and our toys and best books are always disappearing. Hard to believe some people are either so inconsiderate as to not realize someone needs these things or they are outright dishonest. I suppose we could take the attitude, Well they must have needed it more than I, but you know sometimes if people just asked they might be surprised at the result.

[Messenger]

It is always sad when things like that happen at church. I'm in Nursery and our toys and best books are always disappearing. Hard to believe some people are either so inconsiderate as to not realize someone needs these things or they are outright dishonest. I suppose we could take the attitude, Well they must have needed it more than I, but you know sometimes if people just asked they might be surprised at the result.

Deborah,

You know, a box of fruit (apples, bannanas, oranges) and more, probably $7 - not worth becoming a grinch! Because its a gift from the ward probably worth a lot more, just the thought of a gift I suppose, is still a gift. I know both of the two guys that could have stolen it - one is retired and drives a hummer, the other is a local truck driver. One is a high priest, the other an elder. I suppose its useful information to file away. Perhaps its a good thing to not leave your things around even in the church building. Im not upset like a initially was. It was awesome to deliver some of those gifts, that kind of service always puts things in perspective. I guess its true, it is really the thought that counts. If it isnt, then perhaps a deeper look inside is appropriate.

One of the nice things that came out of it was one of the guys that donated all of the potatoes to the ward for this project (and also donted the hams), is one of the more prominent members of the ward, and a farmer. I do know some wealthy people (including two retired NBA players), and most of the time they are always on guard for that sort of thing (people stealing their things). That member of our ward noticed that I was looking for the small box of potatoes that he gave me and the box of fruit that the bishop gave me. Both of them turned up missing - when he saw that, he gave me another box of potatoes. And, yes, I'm sure thats nothing for him. But, most wealthy people that I have known dont do that, at least in person. So although there was a negative impression from those that stole, there was also a positive impression from our wealthy member. So, thats kind of nice to know. Especially when wanting to create mental lists of people you trust. I know its difficult to publicly donate, because once you do, you expose yourself to theft. I know because in my past carreer, I too was rather well off.

I guess we can let these experiences change us for the better or for the worse. I dont have much in my life now, but I am thankful for the things I do have, and I just added one man to the list of kind people in the ward. I guess thats a positive thing about these social activities, you get to know everyone - the good and the bad.

Edited December 22, 2011 by Messenger

[darkandlight]

It is saddening when this happens in the church. It isn't really just the mere thought of losing something that's sad. It's also the thought that someone you know, someone who worship with you, can do that to you.

[Messenger]

It is saddening when this happens in the church. It isn't really just the mere thought of losing something that's sad. It's also the thought that someone you know, someone who worship with you, can do that to you.

Yes, and he knew it was me, cuz my name was right on the box in large letters with a bow. Like I said, only two people could have.

[Calm]

Are you certain this could not have been simply someone walking in, seeing the box, grabbing it and disappearing without being noticed. I've been in several wards whose parking and building would allow for such to happen....very good sound insulation.

[rpn]

I would call each of them up and ask them if they saw the box with my name on it while they were finishing up? Maybe one of them decided it was important to actually deliver it to you (like the others were being delivered).

[Duncan]

Our stake centre had a guy living there for a winter, he would slip in every night when the family history folks would be there

[KevinG]

I really hope this was a misunderstanding. Although church members sometimes steal things... like hockey teams from other cities. Right Duncan?!

[Duncan]

I really hope this was a misunderstanding. Although church members sometimes steal things... like hockey teams from other cities. Right Duncan?!

oh, that's rich!

[KevinG]

oh, that's rich!

Admittedly you guys will probably make better use of them. Its hard to find a frozen pond in Atlanta.

[Duncan]

Admittedly you guys will probably make better use of them. Its hard to find a frozen pond in Atlanta.

true, true. Where I grew up in my city here there were 5 rinks within walking distance and also 5 mcdonalds! But don't fret you have Auction Kings filmed in Atlanta! I dig that show!

[emeliza]

My husband thought his backpack was stolen once. It had his ipod and other expensive stuff in it. We searched the church and couldn't find it. I think it was on a Sunday or Wednesday when he left it there and we have keys and went back in on the next day and did the search. We figured it was gone. About a month later we were in one of the coat rooms and it was sitting on the top shelf. My guess is that someone grabbed it thinking it was yours and then when they got home they saw it wasn't so they just brought it back to the Church. Nothing was missing and it didn't even look like anyone went thru the pockets. I bet it came back the next week or day they were at the Church and they put it back where they found it and then it just sat there for a month or so since we had already done our search.

As for your fruit and stuff, sorry that happened. There is a chance it will show up. There is also a chance it was accidentally thrown away or yes, it could have been stolen.

[darkandlight]

Yes, and he knew it was me, cuz my name was right on the box in large letters with a bow. Like I said, only two people could have.

That's sad. Whenever something like this happens, regardless of where it takes place, I just say to myself, "God will take care of it."

[Peppermint Patty]

Messenger,

I admit it, I took your vegetables. I thought you didn't want them.

Seriously, it sounds like someone honestly didn't think you wanted them. After all, you abandoned vegetables in the Church. That's like abandoning a bag of candy in the nursery.

[Messenger]

Patty,

I hope you aren’t misinterpreting my post. I don't have any animosity towards anybody like that. But, to avoid putting your foot in your mouth again on this forum, you might want to check the facts. NEWBY ALERT!! Yes, you are new, and it shows!

It was gift boxed with a bow and my name on it. Yep. And while the contents were probably $35, some of us actually appreciate any gift like that, especially from the bishopric. And, it wasn’t abandoned; it was next to my coat in the gym. I don’t make a lot of money, and I do a lot of service in the community and its not often I ask for a thing, and even less often I get a gift. This year, I didn’t have a any kind of a Christmas dinner, and I didn’t buy any Christmas presents either, and no PP, I didn’t get one gift, except for this one. Like I said, the thought of the gift far outweighs the actual contents. But, I still would have appreciated the gift. I know I'm not the only one, I spent the rest of the evening handing out 4 or 5 gift food boxes to members of the ward, and everyone of them really appreciated it - Its called compassion, you might try that sometime. The large ones had a ham, about a dozen oranges, about 10 nice size Idaho potatoes, several cans of green beans, and a box of stuffing. Being in the High Priest group leadership, I actually have input on callings in our group as well as the welfare of others. The HP Group leadership has narrowed it down to two people. The first thing on our mind was if they needed assistance or not.

Happy New Year newbie. Hopefully 2012 will go better for you than 2011. You know what they say about first impression?