OLEAN — There are times when the theft of an item can be considered mean-spirited.
The theft of a purple toilet, set out in front of area homes to raise money for a local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life team, could be put in this category.
Earlier this week, members of the Flushing Squad, a team from the Olean Medical Group and Creekside (Chapel) Crusaders, reported that someone stole the fundraising item from the lawn of a Prospect Avenue home. The team — which includes Dan Strauch, new CEO of the medical group, and his sons, Rob and Mike Strauch — said they had just finished repainting the toilet.
The team members had placed the toilet on the lawns of notable households, such as those of Olean Mayor Linda Witte, to collect donations for the team. Households were required to make a donation of $20 to have the item placed on someone else’s lawn or $10 to have it removed from their own lawn.
Mr. Strauch said the team came up with the unique idea from previous Relays they had participated in while living in Philadelphia. The idea for a purple toilet came from the color commonly used in the Relay logo.
The team had raised more than $200 and had hoped to raise more leading up to the Olean Relay, which begins at 4 p.m. June 15 and continues through 6 a.m. June 16 at the Olean Intermediate Middle School track on Wayne Street.
Mr. Strauch said it was “disappointing that a fundraising promotion for the American Cancer Society would be affected by someone stealing (a) purple toilet.
“It is sad to think that someone is disrupting our efforts to support such a worthy cause,” Mr. Strauch continued. “Cancer has affected so many people’s lives – and if they stopped to think about it, they would not want to interfere with our trying to ‘Flush Out Cancer’ fundraiser.”
In addition, he said if anyone has a toilet to donate, the team could pick it up, paint it purple and resume their fundraiser.
“We also want to remind people that if they want to support the cause, we would invite (them) to donate to the Relay for Life event,” he added.
Crystal Page, director of special events for the American Cancer Society’s Eastern Division, said she and other organizers of the Relay were also disheartened by the theft.
“We are extremely disappointed that some people have ruined this fun and creative way to raise money and show our support in the fight against cancer,” Ms. Page said. “It can be returned to the lawn it was taken from with no questions asked; we would just like to continue ‘Flush Out Cancer’ through June.”
The fourth annual Olean Relay for Life, whose theme is “Carnival of Hope,” currently consists of 26 teams, boasts 181 participants and has raised $17,478.
The event will have a DJ throughout the day, multiple bands and a bounce house. There will also be face painting and carnival games.
Highlights of the ceremony will take place during opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. and during the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. All community residents are invited to attend the event.
For more information on the Relay, or to help the Flushing Squad, visit www.relayforlife.org/oleanny or call 373-1055.
(Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com)
