Aid pours in for military family whose possessions were stolen

Inland Northwest residents have stepped up to help a military family who lost everything when their U-Haul trailer was stolen.

Individuals have donated money and clothing to the Paulsen family, and listeners of the KDRK radio morning program “The Jay and Kevin Show” have pitched in $1,000.

Jennifer Paulsen, a North Central High School graduate, was traveling Saturday from Spokane to Fort Hood, Texas, to meet her husband, Bryen, a U.S. Army corporal who has been deployed to Iraq since November.

While Jennifer Paulsen, her two toddlers and her grandparents slept in a motel outside Oklahoma City, thieves took the trailer containing all of the Paulsen family’s possessions, including the children’s toys and clothing.

Marian Ortiz’s 13-year-old son, Daniel, heard about the theft on the radio and immediately asked to contribute $50 of his allowance to help. His 7-year-old sister, Michele, also pitched in to the tune of $55.

“My kids have a certain component of their allowance that goes to charity, so they save up until they find a cause they want to help,” Marian Ortiz said.

Jennifer Paulsen’s mother, Carolyn King, said members of her church and Bible study group have also contributed clothing and money.

“It’s very nice,” she said.