Post Commander Don Frechette presenting the donation to Megan Goodine, who is receiving on behalf of the Play It Safe Foundation. (Megan Goodine is from LEAP, Inc. and she helped organize the 2019 basketball fundraiser after Larry Lord was injured in the Farmington explosion in September.) Also in the photo is Post Quarter Master Dave Lachapelle, and in the back ground Post Chaplain Larry Bilodeau. Submitted photo

JAY — Local Jay Veterans of Foreign Wars, Frank L. Mitchell Post 3335, made its annual contribution to the Jake Lord, Play it Safe Foundation. The donation was raised by the post through multiple dinner fund raisers, and again matched by several post members.

Post Commander Don Frechette commented, ‘’It’s an honor to support a local charity, that is entrenched in our area, and helps so many local community members”.

The Play It Safe Foundation was started by Jake Lord’s sister, Jenna, after his death in 2011. Jake was a star athlete for RSU 73 but suffered from multiple severe concussions. The results were detrimental as Jake’s mental health declined and eventually lead him to take his own life. Medical research has indicated that concussions can alter an athlete’s mental state, creating mood swings and often leading to depression. Repeated head injuries have been linked to the high-profile suicides of National Football League players and other athletes.

The JLPISF not only raises funds and educates the public, but works to advocate for better policies to protect young athletes like Jake, with hopes of reducing the number of injuries during high school sports.