Boy Scout honored for returning money

Deepa Bharath

From the second he saw the gray pouch lying near a dusty sidewalk

on Newport Boulevard, Chris Dickson knew what he had to do.

The Costa Mesa High School junior picked it up, walked up to the

nearby toy store, where he spent most of his afternoons playing

games, and called the owner of the bag. In the pouch were a thick wad

of $20 bills adding up to more than $600, credit cards and several

signed blank checks.

Why did Chris do it? He has one answer for anyone who asks him

that question: “Because I’m a Boy Scout.”

On Nov. 14, the Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa honored Chris for his

honesty. He was given a plaque at its regular meeting.

The pouch actually belonged to a client of Edward Jones, an

investment company, said Gregory Dennis, president of the Kiwanis

Club.

“When Chris found the pouch, he called one of our members, Pete

Peterson, who works for Edward Jones,” he said. Dickson found the

company’s number in the pouch. “The Kiwanis wanted to thank Chris for

his honesty and values.”

Chris said he faced no temptations.

“I knew in my heart that I was doing the right thing,” he said.

“The Friday before I found the money, my best friend had her wallet

stolen. She got her wallet back but lost her money. I saw how sad she

was.”

So as soon as Chris got back home after returning the pouch to its

rightful owner, he called his friend and told her about it.

“It felt good,” he said.

Chris’ parents, Karen and Terry Dickson, said they are proud of

their son.

“When I heard about what he did, I told him, ‘You’ll never forget

what you just did,’” Terry Dickson said. “He’s a Boy Scout. It was a

natural reaction for him -- to do the right thing.”

Karen Dickson said she was very happy and excited for Chris.

“Those people would not have found their money if Chris hadn’t

found it,” she said. “It’s just the kind of person he is. He never

thinks twice. He just does what’s right.”

Joanne Shields, owner of the Village Toy Shop, said she admires

Chris’ resolve and integrity.

“When he walked in, he just wanted the phone,” she said.

Chris’ 13-year-old brother, Jeffrey, who was in the store when

Chris walked in with the pouch, said he and another friend “tried to

change his mind just for fun.”

“But he knew what he had to do,” Jeffrey said. “It’s an honor to

have him for a brother.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.