JOHNSTOWN, Colo. — Thanks to the generosity of Denver7 viewers and a local sporting goods store, the Boy Scout troop that lost all their camping gear in a crash earlier this summer, went on a shopping spree.
Contact7 first broadcasted the story of Troop 375 in late June, after a tow truck driver crashed into their equipment trailer along a Wyoming highway. The crash scattered their gear across the road, destroying most of it. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.
“It was full of everything. pretty much. Everything we needed,” Scoutmaster Mike Gunnoe said at the time.
Viewers donated to the Contact7 Gives Fund, a registered 501c3 where one hundred percent of contributions to the fund are used to help people in the local community. Scheel’s All Sports matched the donation, totaling $2,000.
“It’s heartwarming. It really, really is heartwarming to know that people really do care,” Gunnoe said when the troop was surprised with the check.
On Friday, a few scouts and parents met at Scheel’s to restock their gear.
“One of those things that didn’t need a lot of talking and review. There’s a troop in need and we can help,” Janae Burich of Scheel’s All Sports said.
The troop picked out new camping chairs, grills, and more.
“They get to browse and look. And we need to make sure they focus on what we need,” their troop leader said.
With the help of a few cashiers, everything was checked out and bagged. The cost was covered by $1,000 in donations into the Contact7 Gives Fund from Denver7 viewers, a total amount that was matched by Scheel’s for a total of $2,000.
“It’s awesome. It’s been something. It’s been overwhelming in a good way,” Gunnoe said.
