Group reaps generosity following theft

A local group of green thumbs found the silver lining in a disheartening criminal act.

Days before one of their largest community events, the Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society (REAPS) was the target of a break and enter that resulted in the theft of plants slated for their annual plant sale.

REAPS executive director Terri McClymont estimated the thieves made off with about $400 worth of plants Wednesday night after cutting holes in the gates of the society's compost demonstration garden and breaking the lock on their greenhouse.

But the planting community came together to make Saturday's sale of a variety of organic material, including fruit trees, planters and perennials, a success.

Green donations poured in from groups like the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society, REAPS board members and other area residents, including six truckloads of herbs, annuals and hanging baskets from the inmates and staff at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre.

"[The support] totally made a difference," McClymont said. "It was just amazing."

In addition to the slew of donations following the May 21 theft, the May 26 sale was a hive of activity from buyers and volunteers from Telus, David Douglas, master gardeners and more.

Although no final tallies have been compiled, McClymont said she was under the impression that the sale very successful.

"I think we made made more than last year," she said. The 2011 sale raised about $2,000 for the non-profit society.