Rotary, youth athletes help wipe out polio

Youth basketball at Red Claws Photo: Photo submitted by Rich Allen

Members of the Greater Rumford Community Center are seen here enjoying a Red Claws game on Sunday night thanks to the River Valley Rotary. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales to the game went toward the eradication of polio world-wide.

RUMFORD- As part of Polio Awareness week, Rotary District 7780 made up of northern MA, eastern NH and southern/western Maine hosted a Maine Red Claws Basketball Day, of which $2 of each ticket purchased went to the Rotary effort to wipe out Polio throughout the world.
The River Valley Rotary Club graciously purchased 50 tickets to be given to local youth basketball players from the Greater Rumford Community Center in support of this cause.
Eddie Paterson has been an active coach, referee and volunteer at the GRCC for years. “As an active Rotarian I thought it would be a great idea for us to support the district effort and involve the local youth basketball programs.”
Tickets were open to all players in the three leagues, Boys Prep league grades 2-4, Boys College league grades 5-8 and Girls league grades 2-5 on a first come first serve basis.
The youth were transported and chaperoned by coaches, parents and members of the Rotary.
Paterson noted, “The GRCC used to bring teams to different professional sporting events after seasons as a field day for players, coaches and volunteers. This hasn't happened in recent years due to logistical reasons. We hope to reintroduce this as part of the young players experience with the GRCC.”
Players wore their uniforms and showed their support for the local River Valley club and the GRCC.  “We hope this is the first of an annual event that both Rotary and the GRCC will support with future efforts for additional fund raising in upcoming years,” noted Paterson.