The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Dale Huffman: Theft of Special Wish box prompts generosity

Area religious leaders rally for health care reform
New 18 min. ago
Masked gunman attempted to rob wireless store, police say
3:25 p.m.
Local Buckeye Bash a “bust”
1:18 p.m.
Multiple cases of teacher misconduct a wakeup call for Northmont
11:00 a.m.
Ferguson attempts suicide after being found guilty on all 32 counts
10:05 a.m.
> More headlines

Ron Alvey A new Special Wish Foundation box, made by Adam Zengel, of Zengel Construction Co., sits on the counter at Bill’s Donuts, in Centerville.

By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer Updated 9:10 PM Sunday, October 4, 2009

The worst of human situations can sometimes bring out the best in people.

The good folks who run Bill’s Donut Shop, 268 N. Main St. in Centerville, have long been caring citizens and good neighbors.

It was over a quarter of a century ago, in 1983, that the shop owners were the first major donor when a charitable group known as A Special Wish Foundation came into being.

The organization was the idea of former Dayton police officer Dave Lance and his wife, Linda, and is now headquartered at 436 Valley St. in Dayton, near Children’s Medical Center. Over the years, the organization has helped make dreams come true for more than 1,200 young people who have fought debilitating and sometimes terminal illnesses.

Lisa and Jim Tucker, the current owners of the Donut Shop in Centerville, continue to support the Special Wish organization in the footsteps of Lisa’s father, Bill, the founder of the shop.

“Our family has always supported the nice tradition,” Lisa said. “We have kept a donation box on the counter near the register. From time to time we empty it, and hand the money over to A Special Wish.

On a number of occasions some of the children who have benefited from the donations from our shop have stopped in to thank us.”

If you wonder why they continue this project, just talk to Lisa for a little why, and she will let you know how good it makes them feel.

“If you have ever seen the warm glow and the sort of shy smile that goes with a child who is deeply impressed by a warm gesture, then you know why we do this,” she said. It is so fulfilling. We are getting much more than we are giving.”

The family’s collection efforts hit a brief stumbling block last month through no fault of their own when a man, stole the donation box from the store.

On Sept. 3, at about 2:40 p.m., after the noon rush at the donut shop, a man entered the store and stood at the front counter near the cash register, according to authorities. Security cameras caught the man grabbing the donation box and running out a side door, where a Chevrolet Blazer truck, with what appeared to be a female driver, was waiting for him.

Centerville police officer Matt Dunn said a suspect was identified from surveillance video as Michael Truesdale, 24, of Waynesville.

Truesdale was arrested, arraigned and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge. The matter is still under investigation, Dunn said, but no other arrests have been made.

Ilene Schnabel, director of A Special Wish Foundation said, “We were crushed when we learned that someone had stolen the money meant for our children. The Tuckers and the customers at Bill’s Donut Shop have been so kind to us over the years.”

The kindness continues.

“When it was publicized and when folks learned that the Special Wish box was stolen, our customers came to the rescue,” Lisa said.

“First, Adam Zengel, the owner of Zengel Construction Co., and a regular customer, built us a brand new collection box in the form of a little house.”

She added, “The new box is fastened to the counter. It won’t be easy to remove it.”

Lisa said that customers were eager to make up the $30 to $40 that was stolen, and began filling the new donation box.

Schnabel said that since the heist, the new donations in the box have exceeded $1,000, and that the money will be used to fulfill the wish of a special child within the next few weeks.

“We thank the Tuckers and all the good customers at the donut shop for helping make a dream come true for a child in need,” Schnabel said. “When one door closes, another one opens.”

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He’d like to share a story about you, your family, or a friend. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

Thanks for letting us know!

http://www.hydroponicswholesale.com

Hydroponics
12:11 AM, 11/3/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Glad to know about this story.

Regards,
http://www.goldcoinsgain.com

Gold Coins
11:29 PM, 10/14/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I definitely love to read articles because they provide endless information that will become knowledge upon acquiring. I will surely wait for your next post because your articles are interested and up to date. My endless support for your website and Thank You so much! By the way I am a college girl and I like this article so I will write on http://www.universityloveconnection...

<a href="http://www.universityloveconnection...">Dating Website</a>

Dating Website
9:46 PM, 10/10/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Way to go Centerville...once again you have opened your hearts and pocketbooks to help others. What a great community.

Cuz
8:40 AM, 10/5/2009

REPORT ABUSE

So nice to see a story with a happy ending!!

Melanie
11:44 PM, 10/4/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There is 1 additional comment

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.