Burglar Doesn’t Take Away Hope

Although a burglar recently broke into the local business, Sprout, on Aurora Street in Easton and stole two jars filled with months of donations for “Project Hopeful,” a local business has stepped up to remedy the loss. Sprout’s owner, Ryan Groll, discovered the break-in around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2020 when the motion detector at his business on Aurora Street went off.

Pictured left to right are Emily Groll, co-owner of Sprout in Easton and St. Michaels with Jen Carrion of Carrion Electric of Easton. Carrion Electric made a $1,000 donation to the “Project Hopeful Campaign” to make up for the recent burglary at Sprout where Hopeful funds were stolen from the counter there. Absent from the photo are Ryan Groll and Ryan Carrion. – Contributed Photo

Groll recalls, “The suspect broke in through a side window and because the motion detectors were triggered, he only had 30 seconds to grab something and get out. The ‘Project Hopeful’ jars were on the counter with about $700 in them. We had been collecting funds for the Campaign throughout the fall to benefit the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund.”

The suspect was apprehended by police the next morning. Groll posted his disappointment about the break-in on Facebook and one of Sprout’s customers and another local business owner responded immediately.

When Jen Carrion of Carrion Electric saw Groll’s post on Facebook, she called her husband Ryan and said they needed to do something to help. Carrion Electric has helped with Sprout’s electrical needs since the business opened – wiring their food truck and later helping to build out their kitchens at both their Easton and St. Michaels locations.

“Ryan and Emily Groll are great people. We were already connected to the Hopeful Campaign as we had helped with the electrical outlet connections for some of the Hopeful signs around town. The Campaign’s purpose, to help those experiencing homelessness, hunger, and needing mental health treatment, is so important right now with so many people suffering loss during the pandemic. It was devastating to have someone take these funds from our community,” states Jen Carrion.

In response to the burglary, Carrion Electric made a $1,000 donation to the “Hopeful Campaign” to make up for the loss of donations made at Sprout.

“We wanted to make sure we could remedy the loss. As a business, we are fortunate right now to be able to help. Now more than ever a sense of community is so important. We are hopeful!” she adds.

Amy Haines of Dock Street Foundation who, along with her husband, Richard Marks, initiated “Project Hopeful”, commented, “We are sad that someone would steal our Hopeful funds, but they will never take away our Hope! We are grateful to The Carrion and Groll families for their generosity and support along with so many other members of our wonderful community.”

To donate to the Hopeful Campaign, visit www.dockstreetfoundation.org. Donations will support local nonprofits through the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund as they respond to hunger, homelessness, and mental health needs in our communities. Hopeful flags are available for purchase on the website and bumper stickers and pins are available at Vintage Books and Fine Art in Easton and Sprout in Easton and St. Michaels.