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| By Courtney Llewellyn Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Last year, the communities of East Longmeadow and Longmeadow were saddened by the loss of Brianna Donovan and Bob Pisani. "We felt it would only be right to set up an event in their memory," Thomas McDonald, a student at Longmeadow High School, said. That's how the first ever Stroll for Strength came about. This year, LHS students in the Sport and Event Management class are hosting "Stroll for Strength: The Sequel" on Nov. 21 to honor Donovan and Pisani as well as Christine DoCarmo from Chicopee and Smith Academy's Bethany McMenimen. "With over $10,000 raised last year, we decided to reach out to other communities during their times of hardship," McDonald explained. The funds raised from the race are divided between the Bob Pisani Children's Fund, the Brianna Donovan Foundation, the Hunter DoCarmo Scholarship Fund and donated in the name of McMenimen. Over 300 participants ran and walked last year and McDonald said he hopes for the race to be even bigger this year. "We have reached out to two more communities in an effort to bring everyone together," he stated. The race begins and ends at Longmeadow High School. The school has "a very special day planned," according to McDonald. Prior to the race there will be a Powder Puff football game between two teams of girls. A bounce house and live music will also be provided. Winners in each division of the race (elementary, middle school, high school, adult and senior) will win a homemade pie. Still in its nascent stages, the Sport and Event Management students have been involved with the majority of planning for the event. "Although we have two wonderful teachers [Vivian Morse and John Pantuosco] guiding us through the steps, us students really have a desire to put on a great event in honor of those people who have touched our lives," McDonald told Reminder Publications. "This is not just a class assignment." The 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk will take place Nov. 21 with registration starting at noon and the race beginning at 1 p.m. The entrance fee is $10 and the first 300 registrants will receive a T-shirt. The Stroll for Strength will always take place near Thanksgiving, according to McDonald. "Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks for all the blessings we have received, and we felt that it was our job to remember those who could not be with us and help their families have a little happier holiday season," he said. Those who would like to donate but do not wish to participate in the race may send donations to John Pantuosco or Vivian Morse, Longmeadow High School, 95 Grassy Gutter Rd., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 1. |