A special night for a special mom

The Pinckneyville-Nashville game on Saturday was exciting enough, but the communities behind those teams came together as one to help a Panther Mom, Janet Szczepanski, in her battle with breast cancer.

More than $9,000 was raised to help with family medical expenses, transportation and incidentals.

The night's T-shirt with the logo, "Together We Will Fight, Together We Will Win" and "Pinckneyville vs. Nashville, Feb. 15, 2020" raised more than $3,600. Modern Woodmen of America representative Kimberly Taylor presented the family a check for $2,500.

Raffle baskets donated by individuals, businesses, PCHS organizations, and Nashville High School raised nearly $1,800, and 50/50 ticket winner Morgan Galbraith donated her share back to the Janet Szczepanski fund for another $1,200+. A donation jar at the ticket table added to the total.

Top-notch basketball is a common thread in Pinckneyville and Nashville, but the more important thread of humanity, reaching out to help someone, made both teams and communities winners in the game of life.