Stay strong 31

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

shakeem@vindy.com

Thirty-one is more than just a jersey number. It is a number linking two schools together in a time of need.

The Poland Boys Basketball Club was able to reciprocate blessings given from Beaver Local High School’s basketball team last year at their second Stay Strong 31 Night.

Stay Strong 31 was initiated last year for Poland’s Mitch Dinopoulos to raise money for his expensive medical treatments.

Poland was matched against Beaver Local that night and the teams came together as one. Beaver Local players wore number 31 T-shirts to show their support for the Stay Strong event.

Jack Shelter described the night as an uplifting event.

“They all came over and greeted Mitch, the Beaver Local team was very generous,” Shelter said.

Beaver Local Basketball Coach Jake Walgate says that his team didn’t think twice about contributing to the Stay Strong 31 event during their game.

“Basketball comes second to situations like this. There is such a thing as friendly rivals and we were willing to develop friendships,” Walgate said.

Beaver Local senior and starting point guard Jake Lunders was severely injured in a car accident in November. He is currently undergoing treatment and Poland folks wanted to show the same respect and generosity that was shown to them a year ago.

On Jan. 28, Poland sponsored a second Stay Strong 31 night on behalf of Lunders. Ironically, Dinopoulos and Lunders wore jersey 31.

A donation totaling $2,500 was presented to Lunders and his family Friday.

Beaver Local Superintendant Sandra J. DiBacco made a special trip to the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh where Lunders is being treated.

Individual donations and 50/50 raffles contributed to the Stay Strong 31 fund for Lunders. Additional donations can be addressed to the PBBC mailed to 7650 Locust Lane, Poland, OH, 44514.

“We are very appreciative for Poland. They have gone above and beyond in their effort to help,” Walgate said.