Kids in Chatham-Kent (CK) will be able to play flag football this summer despite having their equipment stolen.
The first day of the Chatham-Kent Kids Flag Football League was supposed to be on Sunday, but when organizer Jason Reynolds arrived to get everything prepared, he realized the balls, flags, and several cones had been taken from a shed.
The items are estimated to be worth between $750 and $1,000.
"I've been doing this for 30 plus years, and I've made that trip to grab the equipment many times, and it was the first time it wasn't there," he explained to CK News Today.
After realizing that the equipment wasn't misplaced, Reynolds explained he got a sinking feeling. It was at this time that he posted on Facebook to explain the situation, adding that the league's first day would be canceled.
After posting, Reynolds explained that he had taken a small break from social media. When he finally decided to check, he had multiple comments and messages from people asking where they could donate to buy new equipment.
"It got to a point where I had to tell people that we already have what we need. I basically had to turn donations down because we're not out here trying to collect money," he said.
Reynolds was upset with himself after seeing the messages, believing he could have bought the new equipment with donations in time to avoid cancelling the first day. To make up, the kids will be given the chance to play a doubleheader this coming Sunday.
A BBQ is also being planned for the day to thank everyone who came together to support the league.
As for the stolen equipment, Reynolds is still considering filing a report with CK police. Since the community rallied to buy the new equipment, he doesn't know whether it would be a waste of time for police to look for the stolen items.
