By Tim Binnall
A regretful Bigfoot bandit returned a sizeable Sasquatch lawn ornament that they had stolen from outside of a business in Wisconsin after discovering that it was meant to raise money for charity. According to a local media report, the strange saga began last week in the city of De Pere when Sally Kiefer unveiled a hot pink cutout of the famed cryptid outside of her thrift shop Fancy Treasures. The display's eye-catching color was the brainchild of a friend who had heard of the store owner's recent cancer diagnosis and painted one of the popular pieces to show their support and to help raise money for other local cancer patients who could use a helping financial hand.
However, a sticky finger ne'er-do-well managed to snatch the Sasquatch from outside of the shop shortly after Kiefer showcased Stella, as the pink piece came to be known, on social media. The unfortunate case of Bigfoot banditry caught the attention of a local TV station, who detailed the curious caper. “Whoever has Stella, I’m not mad at you,” Kiefer said in an interview, "she’s really cute, and I know she’s special. But she means a lot to Fancy Treasures, and she will do a lot for people in the community who are down on their luck. So, let us help people and help me by bringing her back.”
Unlike many instances wherein stolen Sasquatch pieces are never recovered, this particular instance wound up having a happy ending. A few days after the TV station's segment aired, Kiefer was surprised to find that the Bigfoot bandit had returned Stella to the store along with a typewritten note reportedly apologizing for their "unacceptable" actions. In addition to the pink piece and the remorseful message, the thief also included a donation to an area cancer charity. While the incident undoubtedly inflicted undue stress upon Kiefer at an already difficult time, she marveled that the story of Stella's 'misadventure' may ultimately be a good thing as it raised awareness of the shop's efforts to help others in need.