ST. LOUIS — A charity known for helping kids fight cancer is now battling bad publicity. The group Sydney's Soldiers Always is disbanding after the board announced on Facebook that one of its founding members admitted to mismanagement of money.
The group posted earlier this week, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the process of dissolution of Sydney's Soldiers Always has begun. The decision was made by the board of directors after being made aware of the mismanagement of funds and other violations of the by-laws set forth by the Foundation by one of its founders, Dana Manley."
The post goes on to say that Manley and her husband Matt both willingly and freely signed resignation letters acknowledging the reasons the board asked for their resignation.
The letter was signed by Lillie Danzer, the group's interim president. Danzer recently took the responsibility after learning her name was still on the bank account that was depleted. Danzer did not know there was trouble until the bank called.
"In the middle of March I was notified by the bank that that account had gone negative and was about to go into collections," Danzer said. "Which is what brought an investigation by the board."
The group formed in 2018 after a young girl named Sydney died from kidney cancer. Her mom, Dana Manley, told the public she wanted to keep her daughter's legacy alive by continuing a toy drive started by her late daughter. The group also helped answer kids' wish lists.
Danzer said she became friends with Manley and Sydney while supporting her own niece through cancer treatment. Danzer's niece also passed away, but she was drawn to the idea of forming an organization because of the mission.
"My niece was in the hospital over the holidays," said Danzer. "We understand the importance of having these toys. And so not being able to do that is hard because it's the kids — that's why we all got involved to begin with."
Danzer wouldn't say how much money has been taken, because she said she doesn't know. She believes around $200,000 had likely been collected through the organization's short existence, but that could include the value of in-kind donations, too, and she doesn't believe all of that money was mismanaged.
The Wentzville Police Department confirms that it had contact with the board and has since relayed information to the Missouri Attorney General's office because the investigation spans at least three counties. The AG makes it a policy to neither confirm nor deny an investigation.
"Unfortunately, at this point, we haven't heard back from them, so we're not really sure where that stands," Danzer said.
Since Sydney's Soldiers Always posted an announcement, other groups have also addressed the issue with their followers as well.
The president of the group Misfit Toys Car Club posted a 16-minute video on Facebook apologizing to supporters who may have made a donation to Sydney's because of the club's recommendation.
"Your doing good does make a difference," said Ryan DeClue, Misfit Toys Car Club president. "Do not let the moral failings of others keep you from doing that."
DeClue also said this makes it harder for groups like his to continue garnering support from the public.
"It makes it very hard for us to do the charitable work, and rightfully so," he said.
In the meantime, Danzer said there are at least five families who've contacted her to let them know how deeply hurt they are or that they've been promised something that may never be fulfilled. Danzer said since the group is legally dissolving; it cannot take on any more donations even to make right what is wrong.
Danzer said it's been difficult because the board knew Manley had some run-ins with the law concerning fraud in the past but had overlooked it. A public-records search found Manley had a felony record for not paying child support and passing bad checks.
"It was a long time ago," Danzer said. "And for all of us, we have huge hearts, and we knew about it. And you tell us you've changed, and we believe you and want to support you and your child."
Still, there is a lot of heartbreak.
"I think for me, the heartbreak is knowing at some level you've played a role in adding additional heartbreak," Danzer said. "Knowing the effect that this will have on these kids — whose life is already harder than any kid's life should be — who's already getting news, who's already dealing with so much."