By Frymaster

It’s really a shame when kids who have so little to begin with lose something as important as a sports program. And when those kids are mostly at-risk males, it’s downright dangerous.

But such is the case after the bozos running the CF Panthers youth football program put themselves $20k in the red.

So who is left holding the bag? Who is advocating for this program?

Is it the big CF organization Progreso Latino seen so often on the news, speaking out at the State House? No.

Is it Central Falls city government or Pawtucket city government? Puh-lease.

It’s Chachi Carvalho*, local hip hop artist and independent youth activist. Last year, Chachi created a team for the kids who couldn’t afford to be on a team. He put it together on his own time, with such few resources as he could muster. His team went undefeated and won the local championship.

I got this email from Chachi yesterday. Please help in anyway you can. A great way to help is to get this story in front of some of the bigger corporate players (Narr. Bay Insurance, Citizens Bank, Sovereign Bank, Sylvania out on Broad St, etc, etc). All emphasis is mine.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing in regards to an important cause that will affect the lives of up to 300 youth from one of Rhode Island’s most under-served communities. I have been a volunteer coach at the Central Falls Panthers youth football organization for the past 3 years. The organization provides positive recreational activities for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 15 from Central Falls, Pawtucket, Cumberland and Providence. The season starts in August and lasts through February. The kids are on the field at least 3 days a week and play games every Sunday. This provides these youth with a safe place to congregate throughout the week with plenty of adult supervision. Organized sports provide these kids with discipline, respect, responsibility and teach them about teamwork, perseverance and accountability which are all essential skills they need to become productive members of our communities and schools.

Unfortunately, due to the financial mismanagement by a few negligent adults, these children are in jeopardy of missing out on an opportunity to participate in this year’s football season. This program was created to shape these children’s characters and build their self esteem. It is a highly anticipated activity for many of these misdirected youth. As many of you may know, there has been an outbreak of violence in this very area that has left a handful of kids dead and the community in shock. At this very moment, these kids need something positive to fall back on. Many of them are falling victim to the ills of the streets due to a lack of extra curricular activities. If they are unable to participate in this years football season, there will be 300 aimless youth wandering about the streets of Central Falls and Pawtucket feeling like they have nothing else to lose. This will create problems in the community which will lead to more work for the city police departments and local schools. We are in desperate need of help.

In order to fully participate in this years football season, we must raise a lot of money in a little bit of time. We need to purchase or receive a donation of 80 certified helmets which total $6,400 by August 8th. We also need to raise enough money to get the organization out of debt before any of our teams can participate in Nationals Competition. The debt is close to $20,000. In order to make this happen it will take the efforts of multiple communities and resources. The Central Falls Panthers Football Program is a 501c3 non profit organization so all donations and contributions made towards this cause are tax deductible and a healthy dose of good karma. Good deeds are remembered in the hearts of men. We need a miracle… we need your help.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. And please, please, please pass this message on to any and all resources in your network that would be interested in making a donation and contribution to help these kids and “SAVE THE SEASON.”

Make checks payable to:
CENTRAL FALLS PANTHERS
P.O. BOX 6141
Central Falls, RI 02863

I hope this message reaches you in good health and happiness. God speed.

Charles “Chachi” Carvalho
401-744-3578
Chachihiphop@tmail.com

Again, please help anyway you can.

*I swear I’m gonna come out there an’ smack anybody who makes a stupid crack about that Happy Days spin-off.

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