Continuing Coverage
Naples youth league still working to save football season
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A Naples youth league continues to try and save its football season after all of their money was stolen from a bank account. The team held a bake sale and also sold $2 raffle tickets outside the Sports Authority along Pine Ridge Rd and Airport-Pulli Video by fox4now.com
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NAPLES - A Naples youth league continues to try to save its football season after all of their money was stolen from a bank account.
“We're selling raffle tickets, so you can win like a TV,” said football player Jiovanni Pena.
The team held a bake sale and also sold $2 raffle tickets outside the Sports Authority along Pine Ridge Rd and Airport-Pulling Rd. in Naples on Saturday and Sunday.
Fox 4 first told you last week about the plight of the South Naples Pirates after $17,000 was drained from their Well’s Fargo bank account.
“We need to pay for the field that we practice on,” said parent Michelle Bock.
They also need cash to buy and payoff the uniforms for the football players, buy uniforms for the cheerleaders and pay for busses to away games.
“We still have equipment that needs to be paid for so it doesn't get taken away,“ said Bock.
Checks were written for the team uniforms bounced when the money was stolen, which means the current football uniforms could be confiscated, if they are not paid for soon.
During the weekend fundraising event, the South Naples Pirates raked in $1,800, far below the $17,000 that was stolen from them.
The more pressing issue now though is to get the team to those away games or face the danger of forfeiting the season.
“We're one step closer to getting these boys to Tampa.”
They need more than $2,400 to get busses that will transport them to the bay area.
Sports Authority has also stepped in to help the team by donating $1,000.
The cheerleaders never got their uniforms because the money vanished before they were able to do so.
On September 11th, the team will draw the names of three people who bought raffle tickets with 1st prize being a 42 inches screen television, 2nd place is a $50 gift certificate to Publix and 3rd place will be a gift basket.
You can still purchase tickets during the teams practice at Eagle Lake Community Park on E. Tamiami Trail in Naples on Tues., Wed., or Thurs. from 6p.m. to 8p.m.
Donations can also be made through PayPal by searching for South Naples Pirates and any BB&T bank by depositing the money into a special account set up for the South Naples Pirates.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the theft of the team’s money.
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