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Paying it Forward: Neighbor pays for teens’ stolen Vans

Kelsey and her mom are paying it forward by baking homemade cookies for the neighbor with the sweet heart.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Porch pirates in La Mesa stole from a teenager, but a community member stepped up to make it right.

Kelsey Kepke said her only two pairs of Vans were stolen from a show rack outside her apartment door.

“I laughed at first because I kind of thought it was a joke or something – my mom might have done it,” she said.

Luckily for Kelsey, her older sister had left a pair of shoes behind on her recent visit, so she had a backup for school.

Cathey Kepke, Kelsey’s mom, was so upset she posted a note by the door asking for the porch pirate, or pirates, to give back both pairs. Kelsey had paid for her Vans with hard-earned babysitting money.

“We are not poor, but it is expensive in San Diego,” said Cathey.

Cathey, who is a single mother, said she was left feeling hopeless.

“I just got her prom dress, and I really did not know how I was going to replace those shoes,” she said.  

That is when a neighbor stepped up to help.

“A neighbor had put a gift card, a $100 gift card, to replace the shoes. I am pretty sure she had seen them,” said Cathey.

Kelsey has since replaced her stolen Vans with new ones. It was a neighbor’s small act of kindness that made a big impact.

“When you can help someone and are ahead, just give a little kindness when you can,” said Kelsey.

Kelsey and her mom are now paying it forward by baking homemade cookies for the neighbor with the sweet heart.

The Kepkes will now team up with their neighbor watch to keep an eye out.

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