An Open Letter to the Coach of the Boston Chargers
Dear Coach,
A little over 2 years ago, I wrote this blog post stating my concerns about the children canning for change on the streets of Boston. As recently as today, blog readers are still weighing in on the issue. Can you or another representative from the running association help clear up some issues?
Despite the fact that my post is one of the top search engine results for the running club, no one with any knowledge about the organization and its fundraising practices has come forward. A representative of South End Baseball commented, doubting the legitimacy of the team. A few kids claiming to be team members have commented–insulting the rest of people who have commented. A former college track athlete weighed in. But mainly, a few dozen concerned Bostonians have expressed their real worries–and some have even tried to take action beyond commenting on this blog.
Search engines do return race results for Boston Chargers runners. Therefore, I believe there is a good chance the organization, in fact, exists. However, many doubt that the kids on the streets are actually on the team. And many are concerned that the fundraising practices–if they are in fact on behalf of the team–are unsafe. Most importantly, if these children are not attached to the team, the city should shut down this operation. If they are with the team, the city should work with the parents and organizers to find grants and other fundraising strategies. It’s one thing for adults, who feel they have no alternative, to panhandle. It is another thing to exploit young children and endanger their health and their lives.
We look forward to hearing from YOU.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I work at Copley and see these kids everyday on Boylston in front of Copley Fair. There is always a minder standing under a tree watching them and instructing them. Some of these kids are really young. confused and not sure what they’re supposed to be doing. But the minder under the tree has them in his eagle eye.
I don’t think there is any team. I think these kids are being forced to beg on the streets by and through fear of the minders who are some kind of criminal gang. Think Dickens and pickpockets.
I think someone should go after this organization and free these kids. They should be reading books not begging on the street.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Oh so much to say here David. First, as a dear friend, I know where your heart is and it’s in making sure children aren’t being hurt. The comments thrown your way about being a racist are so far off target. Readers, take note that if you ever want to meet a really generous and nice person it’s Dave.
With that said this whole thing is crazy and there is still a complete air of suspicion hanging over this group’s faceless leaders. The intentions of most of the 40+ people who commented on your original post were looking for some answers to a question that many Bostonians have been asking themselves for years. Who are these kids? Are they legit? If so, tell me more. Maybe I want to help. Perhaps my kid wants to join. That’s it. All I ask is that anybody who thinks this is an attack against the group please take a step back, breathe deep and calmly write a response that explains the group and its practices. So far we haven’t seen a thing. I also checked in to see who the Boston Red Sox Foundation (http://redsoxfoundation.org) has been donating too (there are hundreds) and the folks aren’t on it (totally unscientific research here), though would seem like the perfect group to be a recipient of their generosity. Perhaps they don’t know to ask, but they should.
Anyway I hope it all works out. Maybe one day we’ll see the parents and kids together raising funds, which makes more sense.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
hi everyone–
i am a reporter for the boston courant newspaper and i am trying to figure out what the true story is with the boston chargers track team. if anyone who has a story to tell me or some information, whether you are a member of the team, concerned citizen, whatever, please email me at gcoolidge@bostoncourant.com.
Thanks!
ps i forgot to mention that you dont have to be quoted for my story or even mentioned in it if you dont want to be…im just trying to get all the information i can. thanks!
August 29th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Thanks for keeping on this. It is so good to see that someone really cares about the problem. I gave up calling people around the time I last posted a comment. No one who can do anything cares about it–and they should. There is no question at all that this is dangerous exploitation of children. Look forward to the article in the Boston Courant.
September 6th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I finnally spoke on the original post, due to passing several of the orange shirts on the street and having at least five of them ask me for money… even though they all saw me turn down each preceding kid.
I have a new theory that the group exsits, but the kids on the street are just posurs. I saw a few photos online of Charger members and they were all huge, in shape and 5′11 sized 14 yr olds… not the pencil neck 4′11 sized 10 yr olds you see on Newbury St.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Have you ever wondered how did these people get these kids parents to let them do this????????? The reason they can do this is because the head coach E. Hudson is the father of all the kids you see begging thats right I let the cat out the bag sorry mom. The woman that was on tv Catherine Peeples is one of the three women involved in the scheme. The only way a child can join this club is only if you have sex with the coach and get pregnant then you can get in. This story is sick dig deeper I beg you. This is real child abuse. Thius man has 3 women and over 20 kids forreal. Check it out they all have the last names Deberry, Jones, Peeples. THis has been going on for years. Now that the coach is dead maybe this will die with him
November 11th, 2008 at 9:37 am
[…] Well, not really… But over 2.5 years after writing my first story about the kids toiling on the streets of Boston claiming to be the Boston Chargers track team, dozens of concerned citizens posting comments, contacting the city and news outlets, and, finally after writing a second story back in August, Fox 25’s Ted Daniels writes this report. […]
November 12th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Dear Readers,
I wish you knew the pain I feel, don’t get me wrong I love running it is the one thing I can do best. Growing up a Boston Charger living with this big secret inside of me has been pure f’n hell. Where do I start? I don’t want to be the one to expose my family secret. I saw the Fox 25 News Report about my family. I was in tears why couldn’t a report have been done 5 or 6 years ago. Training hard all the time always running running running and when I wasn’t running running I was begging begging begging. I was so embarassed by it all. Every thing on the television and on these blogs is accurate. I always wondered quietly to my self, I knew better than to speak of it How could my father do this to us? Why do I have such a large family? What we are doing is wrong so wrong. I was a child they where the adults they where the ones in control. I justed prayed everynight that one day someone on the outside would find out, and take me away to a safe place. I never felt safe. This is not a joke. The only time I felt safe is when I was running a race against someone. When I won cuz I always won I was considered one of the best I felt at peace because I knew that by me winning I didn’t have to go stand on Mass Ave and beg for money that was the only perk of it all who ever won there race when we where running didn’t have to go begging the next day. If you lost the race there where dire consequences. Just sitting here typing this now is taking alot. I think the only reason I am writing this is because my father is dead he can not punish me any longer. All I ask is for the media to leave us alone we won’t be out the asking for money anymore. My pops is gone just let this go. It is alot on me
November 12th, 2008 at 8:19 am
This just gets sicker and sicker. Its odd how this story only came out after these kids started asking for money on Newbury st. But I can not judge man only God can do that.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
BTW, this idea that the story only came out after they started asking for money on Newbury is NOT TRUE. The used to be out on Newbury 3 years ago. In the past few, they have been there far less. My original story is about talking to them on Newbury in February 2006–almost 3 years ago.
The factis that people have been calling the city and DSS for years. The question is why did they do nothing?
November 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I want to know why they did nothing aswell. I’ve called them with all the details I know and nothing happened
November 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I am a friend to the Coach. This is very much so a legitamite track team. people need to distinguish the difference between begging and fundraising. the money that was being made was used for the team to travel to different cities to compete with other track teams. it was also used to purchase uniforms and transportation to the cities as well. the kids had to eat too right?? people need to mind their business if they dont know the whole story. as far as his kid T Rock, who had a lot to write about, how could you stoop that low as to put iyour dad out there like that with lies, shame on you. you had no complaint when you played in the pool at some of the hotels that you stayed at. Ted Daniel didnt even bother to meniton all of the trophies, medals and ribbons that was in the house during his interview. Let my friend rest in peace.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Trinity the problem is not if this is a legitimite track team. The problem is in the way the funds are soliciated. In 2008 the Boston Chargers didn’t compete in any competitions in or out of the State. Yet and still they where fundraising as you call it all summer long and every weekend during the school year. This is your quote
“the money that was being made was used for the team to travel to different cities to compete with other track teams. it was also used to purchase uniforms and transportation to the cities as well. the kids had to eat too right??”"
WHERE DID ALL THE MONEY COLLECTED IN 2008 GO?????????? ANSWER THAT QUESTION??????? IT SURE DIDN’T GO ON WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. Since we don’t know the whole story why don’t you tell us. People are gonna speculate alot of things unless the parties involved tell the truth. As to T Rock I believe you. This is some twisted shit I don’t think anyone would stoop so low as to lie on there dead father in this way. Who would want to dirty there family name.
The coach should have told Ted Daniels the truth she should have let the camera in to her home so that the medals could have been seen.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:12 am
One more thing if this is a blatant lie as you say Trinity. How come the parents of the children don’t come forth on behalf of the Boston Chargers and say Yes my child is a runner for the track team and yes the money that my child is fundraising is in fact for uniforms and transportation????????????? I’ll tell you why because the parents don’t exist. I’ve seen at least 20 different kids over numerous ocassions asking for money I’ve also googled everthing I could about the Boston Chargers I also noticed that most of the runners do have the last name that where listed above. Don’t get me wrong I did see names of other runners but the majority belonged to the group above.
These are legitimate questions that need to answered. The more I read and the more I think about it this sick and twisted story is true. It is easy to get birth records if you know the right people. I’m quite sure Ted Daniels and Dave Alpert are on the case. All you have to do is take the names of the Boston Chargers that I say on Race 360 and take a peek at the birth record to see who is listed as the mother and father. Simple enough to see if this story is fake or if it is in fact true.
Dave have you talked to the Boston Globe Reporter who told you about this Paternity thing?????????? Just wondering
November 17th, 2008 at 7:13 am
One more thing if this is a blatant lie as you say Trinity. How come the parents of the children don’t come forth on behalf of the Boston Chargers and say Yes my child is a runner for the track team and yes the money that my child is fundraising is in fact for uniforms and transportation????????????? I’ll tell you why because the parents don’t exist. I’ve seen at least 20 different kids over numerous ocassions asking for money I’ve also googled everthing I could about the Boston Chargers I also noticed that most of the runners do have the last name that where listed above. Don’t get me wrong I did see names of other runners but the majority belonged to the group above.
These are legitimate questions that need to answered. The more I read and the more I think about it this sick and twisted story is true. It is easy to get birth records if you know the right people. I’m quite sure Ted Daniels and Dave Alpert are on the case. All you have to do is take the names of the Boston Chargers that I say on Race 360 and take a peek at the birth record to see who is listed as the mother and father. Simple enough to see if this story is fake or if it is in fact true.
Dave have you talked to the Boston Globe Reporter who told you about this Paternity thing?????????? Just wondering.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:31 am
How could the parents stoop so low to llet their kids play in traffic while begging for money????????
These people have been scaming folks of Boston since 1995 or earlier. I know this because that is the year I started working at BMC. I would see them when I drove to work in the morning. The same kids where there when I went to lunch. The same kids where there when I went home. At least the kids got something out of the scam. Wow a swim in the pool they earned it. Where are the receipts for the expenses. How much money was actually collected. It was a helleva lot more than 1200 who are you trying to fool. It just doesn’t add up kids begging everyday all day during the summer does not equall 1200 for the year. I’m calling the IRS, DSS, The MAyor, and anybody else I can thing of.
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:34 am
[…] The first time was when I brought attention to the Boston Chargers scam–first with this article and then this one. Eventually, Fox 25 News broke the story with this report. Still, I had received some emails and comments not-so-politely requesting that I stop writing And given the outpouring of emoton on my blog and emails I received after the Fox 25 report, it was abundantly clear that team members and people involved were following the posts and comments all along. […]