There’s no shortage of generosity in Ellenville for neighbors in need, but Sam and Andrew Bugna’s recent effort to help ran into an unfortunate snag. The funds – Sam Bugna says it was as much as $500 – were stolen.

The Bugnas responded quickly when Meghan Henry, a bartender at their Lock 31 Restaurant, was seriously injured in a car accident. A jar placed on the bar quickly filled with money from patrons who know Henry and wanted to help.

“Every day peopled pumped money into it, not just small change, but $20s,” said Sam. “I was so taken with the generosity.” Patrons wrote messages – “Get well soon,” “We miss you,” – to Henry on the bills.

The jar was put away every night, but one afternoon when the bar opened for business, it was gone. That same night, the cash drawer came up short. Police were called, and the Bugnas searched every inch of the building and outside area for the big jar.

“We know who did it,” said the Bugnas, explaining that the register tape shows the time the cash drawer was opened, “and we know who was in the building then, with access to the register.”

Because of the messages on the money, Sam went on the air with “Dennis in the Morning,” alerting merchants to the theft, and asking them to watch for the bills in case the thief tried to spend them locally. The money has not been recovered, and probably won’t. The theft has left the Bugna’s disillusioned, and disgusted that someone would steal money intended for a person so much in need of it.

Still, the Bugnas won’t give up “trying to do the right thing” in their community. And, they provided this update on Henry’s condition: she’s been moved to Helen Hayes Hospital to continue therapy. She’s improving; “she has good days and bad, and is hoping for the best.”

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