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Date: 1/4/2024
EAST LONGMEADOW — On Dec. 26, the East Longmeadow High School varsity boys basketball team had their second annual Senior Center food drive, delivering 12 bags of donations to the East Longmeadow Council On Aging. The team hung out with the seniors and participated in some of their activities, one of which was a line dancing class.
Team captain Samir Kahn said, “We are extremely grateful as a team to give back to our community, the seniors are the backbone of the town. The seniors in town can be easily forgotten, and they deserve the most appreciation.”
Varsity assistant coach Gary DeStephano added, “The seniors enjoyed us coming, socializing with them and getting to know them as people. To see the smiles of their faces and our players’ faces really makes it worthwhile. They loved having us. We loved going there, so we’re going to continue to do that.”
DeStephano came up with the idea last year of how to use the boys basketball platform. Along with varsity head coach Brendan Abad, the two brainstormed on how they could outreach the community and thought of the Senior Center because of food insecurity on the news was getting higher each and every day.
DeStephano told Reminder Publishing they understand the cost of food in the last couple of years due to inflation has gone extremely high. Food costs so much now, people come home with less food at the grocery store. DeStephano and Abad decided to have food and can donations at the home games. Then during the Christmas break, the players visit the seniors and drop off the donations.
“We strive to be a program not just in the community but a program for the community,” said Abad. “Community service and giving back is a huge part of our East Longmeadow boys basketball culture. We have a platform to inspire others, brighten people’s day, and be there for those that need it most.”
Last year when the team went to visit the Council On Aging, Kahn sat down and said hello to a senior woman which turned out to be a 20 minute conversation about her life, which she has no family. This resonated with him to see the importance to spend time with the seniors, and care for them. He and his teammates hope to continue to learn and grow from these experiences and try to inspire others to give back to East Longmeadow.
All of the food and non-perishables the team collected this year sustain Pleasant View Senior Center’s Emergency Food Pantry, which supports the community of East Longmeadow. Food Pantry Coordinator Elizabeth Baron said, “It’s a special event because they come and spend time with the seniors. The inter-generational component is very unique. The seniors enjoy having these young men come here, participate and show them the activities they enjoy.” She went on to say, “The seniors are really excited about what they participate in, in terms of programming here at the center so they love to share that and it’s great to have the young energy. It’s a win-win program for both the boys and the seniors who come in. They both get a lot out of it and it’s nice to see that coming together of community.”
The team will continue to collect food donations at home games in the course of the year and whatever they have at the end of the season, they’ll go drop off.
“We always ask our players how are you making someone better,” Abad said.. “This statement relates to on and off the basketball court. That is the true value of teamwork, which is what our program is all about. We are extremely lucky to give back to the East Longmeadow community.”