PHOENIX — Twelve-year-old Carlos Leon was looking forward to this year's South Mountain Little League season. "It's competitive and I like winning but I like losing too because you learn from the sport," says Carlos.
Unfortunately, his chance to win, lose or even play at all was almost cut short by thieves who broke into the league's field in Phoenix.
"It's unfortunate that right before the season something like this happens to us", says South Mountain Little League President Cris Leon.
The items stolen include candy and big-ticket items from the snack bar like a popcorn machine, snow cone machine, and nacho machine, baseball equipment and a $3,000 lawnmower. Plus, the thieves left behind damage.
"They tore apart the stairs to get through. They couldn't open the door so they broke a window to get everything they were taking out of the snack bar," Leon explains.
With the league's season fast approaching, Leon and started a GoFundMe. To Leon's surprise, within hours, the goal was more than doubled at over $10,000.
He says, "To be honest, we set it up just to see what we could get, try to help us out and it blows my mind how our communities came together."
Now, Leon says he can replace the stolen items, repair the field and improve security with money left over. All in time for players like little Leon to take the field for practice in two weeks.
If you'd like to donate, find the South Mountain Little League's GoFundMe here.
