Charity basketball, plastic bags, and ‘Green Book’

Saul Polanco served as the honorary captain at A Shot for Life’s fourth annual Battle of the Badges basketball game. With him were Mike Slonina, Boston police Commissioner William Gross, and Ashley Polanco.Betsey Cullen

Six-year-old Lawrence resident Saul Polanco found himself amidst superheros, police officers, firemen, cheerleaders, and local community members last month. Polanco, who is being treated for leukemia at Massachusetts General Hospital, served as the honorary captain at A Shot for Life’s fourth annual Battle of the Badges basketball game at Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury. The benefit raised $15,000 for brain cancer research.

A Tyngsborough High School junior earned a Girl Scout Gold Award for her environmental efforts in the town. Julia Kay presented Article 29, banning businesses from providing single-use plastic bags at checkouts, to the Tyngsborough Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting. State Representative Colleen Garry advised Julia on her project, and her work paid off. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts gave Julia the Gold Award for completing more than 80 hours of community service on a sustainable solution to an ongoing issue.

Salem State University will screen the Oscars Best Picture winner “Green Book” on April 17, and will host screenplay writer and Lynn native Brian Hayes Currie the next day. A faculty panel and discussion will follow the April 17 screening, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. in Ryan Lecture Hall, Room 426 of Marsh Hall. Currie will participate in a discussion on April 18 in the Petrowski Room, Marsh Hall Room 210, with a reception following. The event lasts from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and is open to the public, sponsored by the Salem State English department, College of Arts and Sciences, academic affairs, inclusive excellence and the Center for Research and Creative Activities.

Windrush Farm will hold its “Horses Change Lives” program Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m., at the Boxford Town Library. Janet Nittmann from Windrush will talk about how riding horses can benefit people of all ages and people who may have physical, developmental, and emotional challenges. Windrush Farm has been operating as a therapeutic riding center since 1964. The library is at 7A Spofford Road. Contact 978-887-7323 or visit boxfordlibrary.org for more information.

Mark Adrian Shoes of Gloucester and Yaleet US Distributors of Naot Footwear are taking strides to help homeless adults find their footing. The footwear companies are donating 100 pairs of shoes designated for homeless adults to Action Inc. and Wellspring House, two nonprofits dedicated to empowering people in the community.