CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Two check presentations for the fundraiser to help repair damages from a string of recent vandalisms at Northwest Little League’s Stokes Field took place on the afternoon of Friday, July 10.
Budweiser of Clarksville and Nova Flow Cafe at Two Rivers Mall each presented a check for $1,000 to Representative Joe Pitts and Clarksville City Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin, who teamed up to organize the fundraiser.
McLaughlin said the repair fund has raised $5,045 as of Monday, which is more than halfway toward the $10,000 goal.
Buckley Pepper of Nova Flow Cafe talked about the decision his business made to offer its support, saying, “Small businesses should be able to step up for their customers. These girls and their parents come in here all the time, and we sponsor their team. When we posted it on our Facebook page, you could see that everyone was gathering around it, hurt by the fact that they were taking advantage of little kids, so we wanted to step up and give back.”
Singletary Construction also donated to the repair fund, matching Budweiser’s donation shortly after it was made.
Pitts and McLaughlin hope to raise $10,000 to repair the damage to the field, replacing stolen merchandise, and installing security features to prevent future thefts.
“It feels amazing that everyone has recognized the loss at Stokes Field and the importance of Stokes Field to the children and to the community,” McLaughlin said. “They have come out of their pockets to help repair the damage.”
“It’s no surprise,” Pitts added. “When there’s a need in Clarksville, the community really responds, which is very gratifying.”
Donations will be accepted at all Planters Bank locations in Clarksville under the name Stokes Field Repair Fund.
Those who wish to donate online can visit the NW Little League Vandalism Repairs GoFundMe account.
The reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in this case has been raised to $700. Anyone with information can call the Clarksville Police Department at 931-648-0656 or Crime Stoppers at 931-645-TIPS (8477).
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