The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Man raises funds for youth sports
Scholarship created in memory of aunt
WINSTED — Donata Banks was always there for her children’s games, through thick and thin — and for her nephew, Brandon Fields, who considered her a “second Mom.”
When his boys grew old enough, Banks went to their games, Fields said. While battling breast cancer, Fields said she kept the scorebook for Winsted youth basketball and travel games with his mom.
“She was always, constantly, around the game ... through her kids, to my boys, and it was just a thing that she always did — and she loved. She loved being around all the kids ... if she saw 300, 400 kids come through the program when she was healthy enough to be there at every game, she probably knew all their names,” said Fields. “She was just one of those affectionate people. People loved her; she loved the people and the kids.”
Donata Banks died in the beginning of December 2017, after a decade-long battle with cancer.
Fields said he and his wife wanted to do something in her honor, and hit upon an idea — creating a scholarship fund that will allow young people without the means to participate in athletics, as well as other recreation department programs in Winsted.
It was a natural fit, Fields said. In addition to the family’s ties to the game, he currently oversees the youth basketball program for the Winsted Recreation Department. They raised money for a benefit game, held March 23 at the Pearson School, to cap the youth basketball season.
With the help of people and businesses from throughout the community, Fields said they raised approximately $1,061.
He was a bit on edge before the event began, but it turned out to be a success, Fields said.
“I was very nervous at first, and very anxious — especially that night of. But after seeing the results and seeing the support, and knowing how much money we made, it was a great relief. Great, great relief — great satisfaction, and I know it’s going to help a lot of people,” said Fields.
He and his cousins from the Banks family squared off against the coaches from the recreation department’s youth basketball program — it was a joy, he said.
The plan is to make it an annual affair, in one form or another, and continue putting aside funds for people in need.
The recreation department has summer camps, karate classes and dog obedience classes, in addition to sports, and Fields said he was happy to give kids the opportunity to pursue what they’d enjoy.
“Kids need somewhere to go,” said Fields. “We need to provide an outlet for them — something for them to do... I don’t want anything being a restriction, or holding them back, from being able to do that.”
Fields thinks Banks would be pleased to know that her memory is helping share the opportunity to participate with young people.
“I think she’d be embarrassed, but at the same time, she’d be proud, and she’d be happy,” said Fields. “If she was at that game Friday, I don’t think there’d be a moment during that day where a tear wasn’t coming from her eye. She always put others first — never cared so much what was going on with her. If somebody needed something, she’d make sure they had it... she was that kind of person, and she instilled that in her kids, and even in my boys, and even in my life too.”
To reach the recreation department, call 860-738-6964 or email the director, Tanya Risucci, at trisucci@townofwinchester.org.