Stolen Boy Scout trailer recovered

Troop 519 makes special gift to fellow scouts downtown

One good deed deserves another. What started out an as unfortunate situation for Daniel Island based Boy Scout Troop 519 has turned into an unexpected opportunity to help another troop in need.

The troop had their supply trailer stolen from the parking lot at Church of the Holy Cross on Daniel Island in September of 2014. Without a fixed storage shed for their camping gear, the trailer was a critical part of the troop’s assets. All of the trailer’s contents (tents, stoves, lanterns, tarps and more) were owned by the scouts, who had worked hard to earn the money to purchase the items stored inside. The value of the trailer and supplies totaled more than $5500. The troop was devastated by the loss.

But soon, their disappointment would turn to encouragement - as the community stepped in to help replace what a thief took away. Daniel Island Cub Scout Park 519 donated $2000, a troop parent set up a Go Fund Me account that raised more than $1000, and Carolina Fresh Farms of Norway, S.C. and Horton Trailers donated a brand new trailer.

Recently, the story took yet another turn. In May, the original trailer, missing for some 22 months, was discovered by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department (DCSD) at an apartment complex off Ashley Phosphate Road. The DCSD notified Daniel Island-based Team 5.

“I got a call from Lt. Byrne on 25 May,” said Julian Levin, former Troop 519 Scoutmaster and current Chairman of the Troop Committee. “My first thought is are you kidding me?”

According to Levin, police told him the trailer contained a variety of construction equipment, although it was never determined who owned the materials. None of the troop’s supplies were ever recovered, he said.

Aside from a few minor dings, some spilled sealant, and a door seal that needed some work, the trailer was in “pretty good shape,” added Levin.

The troop leadership decided the turn of events put them in a wonderful position to pay their good fortune forward. Levin put a call in to the Coastal Carolina Council to see if any other troop in the area might be in need of a trailer. They soon learned that Troop 447, based in downtown Charleston, had about 60 boys but no trailer for supplies. To Troop 519, they were more than deserving of the gift.

“It was a great feeling to be able to donate the trailer to Troop 447,” said Levin.“It was as if finally something very positive came out of what was a negative experience so long ago.”

Levin and Scoutmaster Tony Duttera met with Troop 447’s leadership recently to transfer the title to the trailer and hand over the keys.

“It was really a unique event,” said Duttera. “…They were extremely grateful…They have 60 boys coming from as far away as West Ashley! They would even go and pick some of them up. They had a bus, but they didn’t have any place to put their stuff. Now that they have this trailer, they plan to clean it up and organize the boys to take ownership of it.”

The two troops may also do some joint projects and camping trips together, added Duttera. And there was one more blessing to report, noted Levin. Davis Towing held the recovered trailer for a week without charging the troop storage fees, while they worked out the details of transporting the trailer to its new owners.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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