It was supposed to be a normal visit to grandma’s.
But when five-year-old Quesnel Thiessen accompanied her mom Sonia and her two siblings – 10-year-old sister McKenna and four-year-old brother Levi – to Abbotsford, a 10-day emotional ride was about to begin.
As always, Quesnel brought her doll, named Leonie, with her in a stroller.
The doll, with long blond hair and bright red boots, was a Christmas gift and never left the young girl’s side.
But when the family stopped at the MCC Abbotsford East Thrift Store on South Fraser Way, the excitement of seeing all the toys distracted Quesnel. When the family left with grandma to go for dinner, the doll and the stroller were left behind.
Marg Nickel, Quesnel’s grandma, said when the family realized what had happened, they rushed back to the store.
Unfortunately, a customer had found the doll in the buggy and assuming it was for sale, took it to the register and bought it, leaving the empty stroller behind.
Quesnel was devastated.
“She cried all the way home and her older sister was crying too,” said Sonia.
She said the hardest part was bringing the empty stroller back with them to Coquitlam.
Sonia had to sleep with Quesnel that night, to keep her settled.
The next day they sent a photo of the doll to the MCC, which put up posters offering a reward for its return.
There were no responses.
For most stores, the story would end there, but manager Karen Heisler said she couldn’t let the little girl down
She and her assistant Geoff Kullman noticed there was a website address at the bottom of the doll photo. A quick search located an exact replica. Because it was a “collectible” doll, the price was more than $120.
It didn’t matter. Heisler and Kullman decided to purchase it.
They agreed, along with Quesnel’s mom, that it was best not to tell the child it was a replacement.
On Friday, as a surprise, the Thiessen family returned to the MCC, where Heisler presented the doll to Quesnel.
‘She’s come back,” said the little girl, who hugged the doll and refused to let go.
Both mom and Heisler wiped away tears as the always quiet Quesnel just stood there and held on to Leonie.
Sonia said the whole incident was a bonding experience.
“She (Quesnel) used to walk away from me a lot when we’re in the store. So we said to her, ‘You know how we feel right now and how our hearts are broken. Imagine how Mom would feel if you walked away and I couldn’t find you, if someone took you,’” said Sonia.
She thanked the staff for caring so much.
Heisler said it was worth it just to see Quesnel’s face, and it just felt right to do.
“Most people think that MCC just does things across the water overseas and things, and yet, we do so much locally,” she said.