Businesses help little league

MARGATE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Several South Florida businesses are joining forces to help a local Little League that was robbed of thousands of dollars.

David Elder, 42, is accused of stealing and spending more than $84,000 from the Margate Youth Baseball and Softball League. Elder reportedly stole the money while he served as the league's treasurer. "It's really upsetting, because this has always been a good place for us to come and even just hang out and support all the families in Margate to come and have fun with one another and enjoy each other's company," said softball player Leigh Galpine.

Shortly after the story aired on 7News, viewers began contributing to the league, which is made up of about 700 children.

Then BankAtlantic pitched in to help the hundreds of boys and girls who are a part of the league. The bank opened an account with $1,000 of its own money for the league. "We set up a bank account, so anyone in the listening area can go to their local BankAtlantic and say they want to donate money into the Margate Baseball bank account. Our colleagues will know what that is," Tom Triozzi of BankAtlantic said. "I brought a check today for $1,000 to get it started."

Local radio station Majic 102.7 also stepped up to the plate and urged its listeners to help the league. "It just makes you feel good to do something for a local group. There's so many tragedies in the world, and thank goodness we have the ability to reach out to those, but when you can really touch somebody in South Florida, it makes a big difference in a lot of ways, and especially for kids. They never forget it," said Joe Johnson of Majic 102.7.

According to Triozzi, those who want to donate to the league can go to any BankAtlantic branch and tell a bank employee the donation is for the Margate Youth Baseball and Softball League.

Elder's criminal history includes several DUI convictions and drug paraphernalia charges. He has been charged with grand theft and has been released on $3500 bond.

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