After What The Pandemic Stole, They Just Want To Play Basketball

EAST HAVEN, CT — The pandemic took its toll on families and communities, and for many, it has yet to loosen its grip. And it's children that may have had more taken from them than most.

Here's a way to give something back, at least to a group of East Haven fifth-grade boys who just want to play basketball and are fundraising to be able to buy uniforms, and pay fees to play in tournaments.

The boys play for the Sal Tinari Biddy Basketball league, a nonprofit created in 1954 that provides recreational and travel basketball teams for boys and girls ages 5 through 14. It serves all of East Haven and some surrounding towns. Read more about the league here.

A few bucks can go a long way and a GoFundMe has been set up to help.

"These are children all local to East Haven. As many of you know, the pandemic took a toll on children and their families. These are kids from all schools and our community who are excited to get back into playing basketball," the GoFundMe created by Michelle Cristafi reads.

"Please support our youth if you can. It would be amazing if our community could come together to support these children and their team."

Read more, or to donate, on the GoFundMe appeal here.

For those who'd prefer to donate in person, the team, and members of their families, will be at Dunkin' Donuts located at 320 Main St., in East Haven, on Sunday Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All the funds raised go directly to the team and league.