Community rallies together after charity Halloween decorations stolen in Woodbury

Police are investigating after hundreds of dollars in Halloween decorations were stolen from a Woodbury home.

The couple who owns the house said the decorations were part of a fundraiser for kids with cancer.

"I was heartbroken because this is for a charity," Jodi Rose said. "If it was just me and they took our pieces, I would be upset, but it’s not as bad as when it’s for kids. It’s sad. It really is sad."

The Rose family has decorated their home and yard for Halloween for 14 years, saying it lifts the spirits of the neighborhood and is fun for families to see while trick-or-treating.

This year, they decided to join a new nationwide fundraiser called Skeletons for St. Jude, supporting children and families impacted by childhood cancer. There are currently 130 Halloween homes throughout the country participating in this effort, according to the group’s Facebook page.

The effort has already raised more than $20,000.

The Roses decided to join the cause, after witnessing the impact of childhood cancer on friends’ families.

"Unfortunately, a family friend had a son who died of brain cancer at age 13," Rose said. "Another friend’s daughter had cancer twice as a really young child. And my best friend growing up had brain cancer."

The couple was shocked to find $300 worth of their Halloween decorations, in support of the fundraiser, missing Wednesday morning.

"I looked out the front window and quite a few of our pieces picked up and went away in the middle of the night," Rose said.

Keith Rose said the items had been securely fastened to the ground with stakes and zip-ties, so the thieves must have put great effort into trying to steal them. He noted the now-missing decorations were right behind the fundraising sign for St. Jude.

"Knowing they had to walk right past that sign in order to take those pieces was really aggravating to me," Rose said.

Woodbury Police Department confirmed there is a police report filed in the case but authorities haven’t identified any suspects, witnesses or evidence related to the theft.

The Rose family is involved in an international group for Halloween decorations and props and said they have heard of similar thefts throughout the country.

"There is a supply shortage of decor, like for holidays, so they’re making big money on eBay selling things," Jodi Rose said.

Despite their initial disappointment over the incident, the couple said they have been encouraged by the outpouring of support from the community.

"Minnesota is one of the most giving places I have ever lived," Jodi Rose said. "We’ve seen a huge uptick in people saying they are donating now to St. Jude, so at least something good is coming out of it. There’s a silver lining."

"We’ve been able to take what has been a sad situation, against a longstanding tradition for our family, and turn it into something positive for an entire community," Keith Rose added.

To donate to the Skeletons for the St. Jude fundraiser, click here.