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May 13, 2009 9:39 pm US/Central
$7K Worth Of Athletic Gear Stolen From Youth Group
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
They have the heart, but some North Texas kids are wondering if they will have the equipment they need for their upcoming football season.
Last Thursday, someone broke into the Millsap Youth Athletics storage shed and stole about $7,000 worth of athletic gear. The organization's president says dozens of football helmets, practice jerseys, pants and shoulder pads were taken among other pigskin gear. The thieves also made off with equipment from the association's basketball, baseball and softball teams.
"When I walked in the door, I was sick," says Kevin Ward, Millsap Youth Athletics, Inc. President.
Most of the equipment had been purchased within the last year with money generated from the organization's fundraisers. "I just really wish they would think about the kids," says the association's secretary, Rita Switzer. "It's just really devastating. They really worked hard, and we put our heart and soul into this organization."
Investigators are checking eBay and Craigslist to see if anyone is trying to sell the stolen equipment online. They are also asking anyone with information about the crime to call the Parker County Sheriff's Department.
Millsap Youth Athletics is offering a $500 reward to help catch and convict whoever is responsible for the theft. Most importantly, the kids and the coaches say they just want the equipment back before football practice starts again in August. "We have 10 helmets and we suit up somewhere between 35 and 40 kids a year. We're 40 helmets shy of that," says Ward. "It makes me mad. It makes me upset that they have to do this to us," adds Millsap Bulldogs quarterback Daylin Clanin.
Hundreds of kids between the ages of four and 12 participate in Millsap Youth Athletics. Last year, the Bulldogs football team won the championship in their division. Parents are hoping the burglary won't defeat the boys' spirit. "It will work out. We will be playing football, and we will be kicking tail," says Switzer.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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