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Theft of cherished kayak led to several acts of giving, says Abbotsford mother

Woman sponsoring birthday party for a child in Nunavut after overwhelming community support
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A beautiful new kayak was given to Abbotsford mom Nikki Jensen after hers was stolen from her. She was also given cash to replace it, so she害羞草研究所檚 sending birthday supplies to a child in Nunavut. (Nikki Jensen photo/ Facebook)

For the last year and a half, Nikki Jensen and her young son have been enjoying spending time on the water together.

The mom saved for a long time to be able to purchase a kayak for their free time. They害羞草研究所檝e been using it regularly, and it害羞草研究所檚 been an improvement in their lives.

And then, it was gone.

Someone broke into her secure parkade, cut the straps it was tied on with and took off with it. They even stole the pool noodles she害羞草研究所檇 been using as a roof rack.

She was heartbroken. Gutted. She put out an appeal to the public via social media for others to keep an eye out for it. She wondered if she害羞草研究所檇 ever be able to buy one again.

Turns out, she didn害羞草研究所檛 have to. When word got out that she was hit by a thief, a community member knew he could help. While he doesn害羞草研究所檛 want to be identified in the story, Jensen said she was blown away by his offer. He gave her a kayak that had belonged to his late father.

At the same time, money was being raised for her to buy a new one. Jensen害羞草研究所檚 story had been shared in a Facebook group for the Four Wheel Drive Association, and a few people each sent her $50 donations to get her back on the water.

She was moved beyond measure.

害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 stop crying,害羞草研究所 she said on Facebook. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e never owned a boat this beautiful in my life.害羞草研究所

She decided she had to do something to thank them all, so she rolled her sleeves up and starting making bread. She also starting thinking of what to do with the monetary donations.

A friend suggested something called the Northern Birthday Box Project. They match up donors with kids in Canada害羞草研究所檚 north. The donors basically sponsor a child害羞草研究所檚 birthday by purchasing everything needed for a birthday party here, and boxing it up to be sent up north.

Jensen was matched with a boy in Nunavut who is turning four and loves Spiderman.

害羞草研究所淭hey don害羞草研究所檛 have access to things like party supplies, cake mixes, icing sugar, etc.,害羞草研究所 she says. So now he害羞草研究所檚 gonna get the Spiderman birthday of his dreams! They say it takes a village, but sometimes it takes a country. The money donated to me came from several different provinces, and now it害羞草研究所檚 going to another one.害羞草研究所

She will be sending everything from cake mix to goodie bags to birthday streamers.

害羞草研究所淭his whole thing legit brought me so much happiness and faith back in humanity,害羞草研究所 Jensen said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a literal life changer for me perspective wise.害羞草研究所

She is hoping that by sharing her story more people will look into the Northern Birthday Box Project, something she wouldn害羞草研究所檛 have known about if it weren害羞草研究所檛 for the theft that kicked of the series of good events.

害羞草研究所淚t was a blessing in disguise,害羞草研究所 she said.

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jessica.peters@abbynews.com

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Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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