Photo submitted by Diers Family

The Diers family is about as “Pella” as it gets — a passion for athletics, deep-rooted faith, and an active involvement in the community. But nearly a decade ago, the family took a leap into a challenge few families in the community face — adopting orphans with special needs from Sierra Leone, whose lives were in danger due to several factors. Doug Diers runs the Shoot-It Basketball Academy, and says he and his wife Jennifer, a Central College professor, opened their hearts to the idea of adoption after trips to Sierra Leone through The Raining Season, which works to find a future and seek justice for vulnerable children in West Africa. Doug’s daughter Faith recently returned from her second trip to Sierra Leone, which included work in an orphanage as part of the Raining Season organization. Faith says it’s an eye-opening experience to see firsthand the world her adoptive siblings came from, and the several challenges children face in the country. Hear more about the Diers family on today’s Let’s Talk Pella and this evening’s Radio Sports Page on 92.1 KRLS, which starts at 6 p.m.

The Diers family is sharing their story as part of the Knights of Columbus Pella Campaign for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, which continues until Saturday, with local high school athletes and the Knights collecting funds at the Pella Hy-Vee, Fairway, and Walmart.

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