Wausau, Wisconsin — A donation box collecting money for a 4-year-old boy with cerebral palsy was stolen from a local market, leaving his family heartbroken. But what followed brought an outpouring of support from a community determined to help the young boy get the medical care he needs.
The donation box had been placed at TownLine Market in Wausau to raise money for Cashton Krause, the grandson of the business’s former owner, David Jagler. It disappeared in early October, according to local CBS affiliate WSAW and social media posts from the market.
Rather than allowing the theft to end the fundraising effort, community members began finding new ways to support Cashton and his family.
Donation Box Stolen From TownLine Market
Jagler had been raising money for his grandson’s medical needs for years through the donation box and other fundraising efforts. The money was intended to help cover therapy and medical procedures that insurance does not pay for.
“Someone saw the opportunity to go take a little extra cash for themselves,” he told the news outlet. He added that the person acted “not caring that it’s for a sick little guy.”
On October 5, Jagler also shared a message directed at the person responsible on TownLine Market’s Facebook page.
“I hope you needed it more than my 4-year-old grandson Cashton who has cerebral palsy!” he wrote.
The theft struck at a particularly sensitive point for the family because the donations were meant to help Cashton access treatments that could improve his quality of life.
Why Cashton Needs Help With Medical Expenses
Cashton has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy caused by a severe hypoxic brain injury known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), according to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by his mother, Jennifer Imhoff.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy as the most severe form of spastic cerebral palsy. Children with this condition may experience significant movement limitations and other developmental challenges.
For Cashton, the money collected through the donation box was intended to help pay for therapies and procedures not covered by insurance. In a statement, Imhoff described the family’s reaction to the theft and explained what the donations mean for her son.
“We were truly heartbroken and in disbelief that someone would steal money meant to help our son,” she said.
“Every dollar donated represents hope for his future and the chance to give him therapies and treatments that could improve his quality of life.”
Wisconsin Community Responds With Donations
Following the theft, TownLine Market replaced the stolen donation box with a temporary jar, giving customers another way to contribute.
Donations began arriving quickly. Some supporters reportedly left $100 bills, while others chose to mail money directly to help pay for Cashton’s medical treatments.
The response offered the family some reassurance after the upsetting incident. Instead of allowing the theft to stop the fundraising effort, people found ways to make sure Cashton could continue receiving support.
Imhoff said the family was grateful for the kindness shown by people in the area.
“It’s heartbreaking to think someone could take from a little boy who already has so much to overcome,” she told.
Family Sues Connecticut Hospital After 21-Year-Old Woman Dies Following Ankle Injury Treatment
“We are saddened by the recent theft, but also so incredibly grateful for everyone who continues to love and support Cashton. We truly do have an amazing community behind us.”
Tornado Damage Has Added to the Family’s Challenges
The growing support comes after an already difficult year for Cashton and his family.
According to Imhoff’s GoFundMe fundraiser, their home in Ringle, Wisconsin, was severely damaged by a tornado in April. The family has since been staying in a rental home that is not handicap-accessible, she told the outlet.
The situation has added another layer of difficulty to the family’s ongoing medical and financial responsibilities.
“We already had our plates very full with Cashton and, you know, things that come along with having a child with a brain injury,” Imhoff said. “And it just kind of added another level of stress that we didn’t really need on our plates.”
Despite the setbacks, the response from Wausau residents has given the family another reason to feel supported.
A Community Continues to Stand Behind Cashton
The theft of the donation box was a painful reminder of how vulnerable fundraising efforts can be. But the donations that followed demonstrated how a community can respond when a family faces unexpected hardship.
For Cashton, the support represents more than money in a jar. It offers the possibility of additional treatments and therapies that may help improve his daily life.
His family continues to manage medical expenses, housing challenges and the aftermath of the tornado, while people in the community look for ways to help.
What do you think about the community’s response to Cashton’s stolen donation box? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
