For the last year and a half, Nikki Jensen and her young son have been enjoying spending time on the water together.

The mom saved for a long time to be able to purchase a kayak for their free time. They鈥檝e been using it regularly, and it鈥檚 been an improvement in their lives.

And then, it was gone.

Someone broke into her secure parkade, cut the straps it was tied on with and took off with it. They even stole the pool noodles she鈥檇 been using as a roof rack.

She was heartbroken. Gutted. She put out an appeal to the public via social media for others to keep an eye out for it. She wondered if she鈥檇 ever be able to buy one again.

Turns out, she didn鈥檛 have to. When word got out that she was hit by a thief, a community member knew he could help. While he doesn鈥檛 want to be identified in the story, Jensen said she was blown away by his offer. He gave her a kayak that had belonged to his late father.

At the same time, money was being raised for her to buy a new one. Jensen鈥檚 story had been shared in a Facebook group for the Four Wheel Drive Association, and a few people each sent her $50 donations to get her back on the water.

She was moved beyond measure.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 stop crying,鈥� she said on Facebook. 鈥淚鈥檝e never owned a boat this beautiful in my life.鈥�

She decided she had to do something to thank them all, so she rolled her sleeves up and starting making bread. She also starting thinking of what to do with the monetary donations.

A friend suggested something called the Northern Birthday Box Project. They match up donors with kids in Canada鈥檚 north. The donors basically sponsor a child鈥檚 birthday by purchasing everything needed for a birthday party here, and boxing it up to be sent up north.

Jensen was matched with a boy in Nunavut who is turning four and loves Spiderman.

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have access to things like party supplies, cake mixes, icing sugar, etc.,鈥� she says. So now he鈥檚 gonna get the Spiderman birthday of his dreams! They say it takes a village, but sometimes it takes a country. The money donated to me came from several different provinces, and now it鈥檚 going to another one.鈥�

She will be sending everything from cake mix to goodie bags to birthday streamers.

鈥淭his whole thing legit brought me so much happiness and faith back in humanity,鈥� Jensen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a literal life changer for me perspective wise.鈥�

She is hoping that by sharing her story more people will look into the Northern Birthday Box Project, something she wouldn鈥檛 have known about if it weren鈥檛 for the theft that kicked of the series of good events.

鈥淚t was a blessing in disguise,鈥� she said.

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jessica.peters@abbynews.com
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