By now, I am sure everyone in Lacrosse has heard of our dilemma. Funds from all financial aspects, including monies in trust, were fraudulently taken from our Association. As well, we have been left with thousands of dollars of outstanding account balances that otherwise, would never have been of concern. The Chatham-Kent Police Services, Fraud Division, is carrying out a full investigation with charges pending.
We thank and recognize the assistance of our current sponsors, and we are now reaching out to other non-profit organizations in `the Lacrosse Community for financial assistance. The Minor Lacrosse Association, with community support, has stood on its own feet for the last 20 years. Last year we enrolled 225 boys and girls from the ages of 5 to 20 years. You can go to the arena any time during lacrosse season and watch the faces on the little ones to see the enjoyment lacrosse brings to them. It would be a sad day for the community if the actions of one person caused the lacrosse program in Wallaceburg to be cancelled.
Since this unforeseen circumstance has come to light, the executive has been working diligently with the Chatham-Kent Police Services and the financial institutions involved. Internally, the executive continues to investigate and refine policies and procedures to ensure that such a devious act does not happen again. We have been working with the media, and they have advised us that any financial assistance given will be publicly recognized. The Municipality has also informed us that any monies from raffles, bingos or Nevada, donated to another non-profit organization are an allowable expenditure under OLG Guidelines. In order to recover from over 70,000.00 in missing funds WMLA is hosting a `help Keep the Griffin Tradition Alive`benefit FEB 19th to support the 2011 program. We are pleading for donations for our silient auction.....we need items to raffle. We would appreciate any support to encourage autographed jersey`s etc from any Hockey NHL OHL or Lacrosse CLA OLA players.
On behalf of the Wallaceburg Minor Lacrosse Association and our entire lacrosse family, we ask that you look into your hearts and seriously consider a donation to help us through these trying times. We appreciate that all organizations are going through tough times, but it is our intent to get through this and come out with our heads held high and be stronger than ever. If you feel that your organization might be able to help, please contact me as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Todd Shepley
President WMLA
519-627-1923
www.lacrossewallaceburg.com
Posted on Dec 28, 2010, 4:55 PM from IP address 216.8.181.186