News

Actions

Little leagues come together after league president was arrested for stealing

Posted at 5:28 PM, Nov 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-04 17:28:38-04

Earlier this week members of the Tarpon Springs Little League found out they had been robbed allegedly by their own president of thousands of dollars. But, now they are seeing support pouring in from rivals.

Dawn Ozack is president of the Largo Little League. But she said one league is all part of a huge family, encompassing all little leagues.

"It's  an organization that is run strictly by volunteers. We are out there on our free time with all our kids trying to make a difference," said Ozack.

And they're showing their commitment. Ozack said the entire baseball community was rattled this week.

Police said Tarpon Springs Little League President, John Farrar, admitted to stealing nearly $13,000  from the league account. And now that league said there may be thousands more still missing.

"It was heartbreaking to hear so as a league all 12 of our leagues discussed and said we wanted to help them out. So they can get back in the positive again," ," said Ozack.

But it's just more cash they now need to raise. There is a GoFundMe account set up to raise money for the league in Tarpon.

"Weaked with the needs were at their field and we kind of got a list and we went through it," said Ozack.

All of them are contributing. Ozack can't speak for other leagues, but her's is trying to make sure the  concessions stand is up and running  before Tarpon's games next week.

"If you do not have a concession stand you're not going to be able to  stay strong.  I will say at least 80 to 90% of our funds come from people volunteering and helping at concession stands," ," said Ozack.

She said  while this could be seen as set back for Tarpon,  it also could help teach a valuable lesson. Her own two boys are in little league.

"To me as a whole it's giving back it is paying forward. And for us teaching them this you know not to turn away and to help that tells them it is something good that they're involved in," said Ozack.

We tried contacting the current new president of the Tarpon Springs Little League. We are waiting to hear back from him.

But he did tell Ozack, "I sent him a receipt of what he was going to be picking up and he was very appreciative of our thoughts and efforts to help and he was very happy,"  said Ozack. "He was also sad at the same time but you know we told him we're not going to give up. We are going to continue to fight it's a whole entire unity. That is what we do."

To help:
https://www.gofundme.com/helptarponspringslittleleague?ssid=793524463&pos=1