Three men robbed at gunpoint a couple of Boy Scouts selling Christmas trees Monday night. The thieves reportedly knocked the boys over, along with their fathers, and made off with $350.

Both fathers and one of the boys were punched in the face.

Thirteen-year old John Hancock Jr. one of the two members of Troop 393, recounted the incident:

"At first I thought it was just a little joke, but then, when I saw the gun, I was terrified," the Associated Press quoted Hancock. "And after I saw the gun this guy just punched me right here and it knocked me down," he continued, pointing to his face.

Police official Sgt. Robert Kidd was appalled by the thieves' actions.

"They were gutsy enough to not have masks and stupid enough to hit a kid," he said. "What kind of man hits a kid?"

The Enquirer reported that the incident drew a lot of support from the local community, as people started doling out words of encouragement - and cash - less than a day after the robbery.

"The bah, humbug went right out the door," described Cornelia Stone, a community parent and Boy Scout committee member.

People showed support by coming to Tom's Drive Thru, and bought more than ten trees in less than half an hour.

"There are people in the world who do terrible things, but a few bad people shouldn't spoil it." said Denise Martin, a local resident who bought a Christmas tree - her first time in ten years.

Businessmen were also drawn to the cause and started giving out donations collected from their staff.

The robbers are still at large, yet to be arrested.