Football League Trying to Replace Stolen Funds
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The North Adams Youth Football League was ending the year on a high note — the kids had had fun, and there looked to be enough in the till to pay for helmets to be recertified and to purchase new gear for the next season.
"We should have been in a good spot; we should have been in a good situation," said Kelley Cellana, secretary of the league's board.
But instead of $16,000 in the bank, the board and parents were shocked to discover they only had $98.15.
The funds had been siphoned off by a board member, said Cellana, leaving the youth league with an empty bank account and thousands of dollars in bills.
Elsa Montoya, was arraigned on Jan 15. in Northern Berkshire District Court on a charge of larceny of more than $250 by a single scheme. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for April 4.
While shocked at the loss, what surprised the league even more was the police response: "It happens all the time."
It's hard to pin down any statistics on parents dipping into youth program funds, but the Internet is rife with stories of betrayal. Prosecutors and others put it down to the nature of the organizations that depend on volunteers with good intentions, if not always experience, and a high level of trust. After all, who wants to believe that a fellow parent would be capable of such a crime?
There was apparently a good deal of trust in the league, which placed all the money matters into one person's hands.
"Shame on us for not requiring two signatures [on the account]," said Cellana.
The money's been spent and the league isn't hopeful of getting much, if any of it, back. Instead of having nearly $8,000 for for shoulder pads, girdles and socks, the group is trying to raise thousands to pay last fall's bills.
There are about 80 to 100 kids in the league each year in three divisions ranging from 7 or 8 years old to up eighth grade. The league does its best to supply each child with the uniform he needs to play, with the exception of cleats.
<L2>The funds are raised through registration fees, an annual golf tournament, sponsors and fund drives. There's no goal, said Cellana, other than to raise enough for the league to function.
As news spread of the football program's woes, others stepped in to provide at least some relief. Michael Dowling gave the league a reduced rate for trophies for the kids' sake and the North Adams Soccer League ponied up $1,500.
"It was very, very kind of them," said Cellana, adding that the soccer group had simply offered the money without being asked. "They didn't have to do that. It was extremely thoughtful."
Creditors have also been understanding but it's not enough - the league is trying to raise $7,900 to pay its bills and is hoping the community will support its major fundraiser next weekend at the American Legion when entertainer Bucky Lewis puts on a show.
A New Hampshire native known as the "King of North Country Humor," Lewis has been performing for nearly three decades around the region. "I love these fundraisers, especially when it's to help kids!" he wrote on his schedule for the North Adams show.
The adult comedy show starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Tickets are $20 per person and available at the Legion or by contacting Cellana at 413-663-6599 or cellana@roadrunner.com.
Cellana said there will also be raffles, including one for a $100 gas card.
She's hoping enough people will turn out to help the group cover its debts. "The league needs the community's support."
Edited on March 30, 2008, to correct e-mail address.
