Waves of frustration coursed through Victor Jackson July 7 when he realized the North Hays Optimist (NHO) youth football and cheerleading teams had once again been victimized.
On July 7, more than $600 worth of concession stand equipment was stolen in an apparent break-in at the NHO athletic complex on Goforth Road. The incident comes nearly two years after $9,000 worth of industrial lawn mowers were taken in a different break-in at the complex, said Jackson, president of the NHO board of directors.
While Jackson and the board hope for justice, moving on is now the goal as they try to replace what has been taken from them.
Want to help?
NHO will host a car wash fundraiser Aug. 28 at Discount Tires in Kyle. You can also contact North Hays Optimist at [email protected].
With less than two weeks to go before the start of practices, NHO hopes to overcome this latest bit of adversity, a trait they try to instill in the youth they serve.
“You can’t quit. Mentally, we’ll get back at it and work hard and do whatever we can do to get it back,” Jackson said. “It won’t deter us from starting our program. Kids depend on us, so we can’t sit and wallow in our frustrations.”
The latest incident occurred during the overnight hours of July 7, Jackson said. Those responsible for the crime kicked in a door at the complex and took items needed for the NHO concession stand, which operates during summer practices and games in the fall. It wasn’t until July 12 NHO officials discovered those responsible had cut a hole in their fence to gain access.
Money collected from the NHO concession stand offsets costs for football referees and field painting and striping, as well as funding scholarships for children who otherwise might not be able to participate.
NHO, a nonprofit organization that began in 1996, includes a Pop Warner football team and a cheerleading team. In addition, fields at the NHO complex are rented out by area programs.
Jackson said NHO officials reported the theft to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction in that area. No suspects have been identified and no items have been found or returned. Jackson said HCSO has assisted in the case and has been helpful in the process.
But for Jackson and the board, the most recent incident has blindsided them. Over the past two years, NHO has fundraised and received three new mowers to keep up with field maintenance.
“You can’t quit. Mentally, we’ll get back at it and work hard and do whatever we can do to get it back. It won’t deter us from starting our program. Kids depend on us, so we can’t sit and wallow in our frustrations.”
–Victor Jackson,
President of the NHO board of directors
Additionally, the incident occurred despite NHO taking several steps to ensure safety and security at the complex.
It was a punch in the gut for a program that struggles to compete financially with its competition. Many of the kids who participate in NHO come from economically disadvantaged situations.
NHO regularly takes on teams out of Westlake, Lakeway and southwest Austin, which have a higher socio-economic status and are able to afford all equipment needed for their teams.
While NHO tries to avoid raising prices, it still has to cover the cost of equipment for both their cheerleading and football programs, as well as utility fees for water and electricity at the complex. Whenever a break-in happens and things are stolen, Jackson said it “cripples us” as it’s an additional, unexpected financial burden.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing because you’re stealing from children,” Jackson said. “Any time you volunteer time, you put in the hours and hard work for the kids in the community. When someone steals from that, it’s heartbreaking at times.”
Through it all, NHO plans to overcome the bump in the road. Jackson said parents, who are key cogs in the organization through their volunteer work, have been supportive in recent weeks.
NHO hopes to emphasize to Hays County officials to help add more street lamps in the area in order to make it brighter and possibly deter crime.
Organization officials hope to receive help from the public, too. NHO will hold a charity car wash Aug. 28. Jackson said the organization will appeal to donors who have supported the nonprofit in the past.
“We can’t stop because something bad happens,” Jackson said. “There are too many kids and parents that depend on this program to work, so they (children) can have a safe and fun environment where they learn not only to be a better athlete, but a better person.”
