A petty act of vandalism was cleaned up in short order thanks to the efforts of members of the area’s newest 4-H Club.
On Nov. 27, Dennis and Sharon Cairns were startled by a loud cracking noise hitting their front window at about 10 p.m. When they went to see what the commotion was, they were annoyed that someone had thrown a raw egg against their window.
“We were sitting here watching TV,” said Cairns. “There was a real bang on the picture window. It was loud. They threw it at the top of the window and it rolled down the window to the side of the house. It was a mess.”
There has been a rash of eggings throughout town, with a growing community watch over social media tracking and reporting incidents. As complaints piled up, the members of the newest local 4-H Club, the Westlock Wildcards, decided they needed to step up.
“It looks like (the vandals) are targeting the elderly,” said Tricia Melanson, Westlock Wildcards 4-H Club general leader. “This isn’t the first house they’ve targeted.”
So the club decided to help clean the targeted homes.
Melanson said that the idea actually came from her 15-year-old daughter Alyssa, who alongside her 4-H compatriots Katie McLaughlin, 15, and Emily Bickford, 9, took it upon themselves to clean the window.
“My daughter saw (Cairn’s) post on Facebook, and she said ‘those rotten kids are throwing eggs,’” said Melanson,
“So she said ‘I’m going to get some of the kids together and this can be part of our community service.’ So she got me to post a response to ask the lady ‘Can we help?’ and she said she would love the help.”
Cairns said that the club was quick to respond to the call.
“They worked hard getting that egg off,” said Cairns. “It was frozen on pretty good. But they came at noon the next day.”
Melanson said it took the three girls well over a half-hour to get the window cleaned.
“They had to use a spatula, a Mr. Clean magic eraser and Lysol,” said Melanson. “It’s almost impossible to get off.”
Cairns was very grateful for the help.
“It’s awesome,” said Cairns. “I was really happy. They were good; you don’t see that often anymore. There’s still good kids in this town. I want to say thank you to the Westlock Wildcards and I hope they continue on doing a good job.”
Melanson said she overjoyed with her 4-H club’s generosity.
“I’m beyond proud,” said Melanson. “Like proud isn’t even a word. I was sitting in the truck watching them almost crying. It’s just awesome, the kids want to help out.”
She added that anyone who needs help coping with age should contact her on Facebook or phone her at 780-996-1793.
“We’re doing a bit of a different kind of club,” said Melanson. “They’re doing a community service every month, so if anyone needs help, these kids will do it. ”
RCMP arrested two youth Dec. 1 after they were identified on a surveillance camera purchasing a carton of eggs. The two boys, ages 12 and 13, confessed to police for the egging and setting fire to a dumpster behind Westlock Motors Nov. 28 and will be sent to alternative measures.
