That 12 year old boy actually spent his thanksgiving in the hospital. But on that same evening, when families everywhere were celebrating the holiday, someone ripped the box off the column and took off.
"He loves to play the guitar, he loves to skateboard," said Colleen Pettine, Shane's mother.
And in September, 12 year old Shane Pettine was diagnosed with bone cancer.
"It's devastating. It's turned the whole house upside down. I have two younger boys. It's been hard. I've been staying at CHOP with him, and my husband's trying to manage the other kids," said Shanes's mother.
Family friends rallied to raise money to help with mounting medical bills, including the Watsons who hung donation boxes and flyers for Shane at Sunoco Ultra-Service Center they own in Bensalem.
The boxes are removed each night, but Thanksgiving evening between 5:30 and 6:30pm, one was stolen along with the donations from the last several days.
"His picture is on it. How someone could take that and drive away with it, is unimaginable to me," said Colleen Watson.
"It's disgusting. You're pretty much taking it from a child who has cancer," said Shane's mother.
The boxes are part of a larger fundraising effort including a benefit next Friday for which the tight-knit group of friends is packing baskets to raffle off.
Shane must have 10 weeks of intensive chemotherapy, surgery to remove his shoulder and replace it with prosthesis, then endure 10 more weeks of chemo.
They wear shirts in his honor bearing the title of a Metallica song, one of Shane's favorite bands.
"He said, 'why am I a hero?' And my son said, 'because you are strong.' And that just put everything in perspective. It's what keeps us going, said Amy Lynn.
Any left over money will be donated to help other children fighting cancer. Funds are still being collected at the gas station.
"They say one man can make a difference. I hope my little contribution makes a difference, and I wish this child luck," said Brian Feldman.
Donations to the Shane Pettine Foundation can be mailed to: The Shane Pettine Foundation c/o Amy Lynn 973 Meadow Glen Road Warminster, PA 18974
You can also find the Shane Pettine Foundation on Facebook.
