Editorial: Green Valley shows goodwill in support of MDA

There’s no shortage of kindness in Green Valley. Goodwill and genuine neighbor-caring-for-neighbor is what makes this area and the surrounding communities so special.

People helping people.

That’s exactly what happened Thursday at the American Family Restaurant—a longtime favorite Green Valley venue where folks gather for a bite to eat and share stories and a laugh or two.

It was a day that Green Valley Fire District firefighters volunteered to swap roles with restaurant waiters, taking food orders, clearing tables and delivering food — cheerfully donating 100 percent of their tip money to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Patrons who did not stop and eat dropped donations into a fireman’s boot and as of press time Thursday afternoon, more than $3,000 in donations had been collected so far, including $1,000 from Arizona Restaurant and another $500 from the Green Valley News. Total figures stand to be much higher as generous and hungry dinner eaters had until 10 p.m. to part with their money for a good cause.

KGVY Radio 1080 AM broadcast live for two hours, speaking with firefighters, guests and restaurant patrons.

Capt. Melissa Smith, GVFD spokesperson, praised the community for its “generous support” for the event.

Folks came from far and near to support the MDA.

The MDA’s Arizona “State Goodwill Ambassador” Jacob Conover, 13, was on hand as was Noah Spencer, 10, a friend of the Fire District.

Green Valley News Chief Photographer Mario Aguilar, recently diagnosed with a muscular disorder, was another guest.

Always willing to lend a hand, Mario didn’t hesitate to back the fundraiser, saying, “anything to help the kids.”

The GVFD is a longtime supporter of the MDA, participating in numerous fundraisers and telethons for the group, as well as sponsoring fire engine ride-alongs and the MDA summer camp.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is funded almost exclusively by individual, private voluntary contributions, serves about 850 people in Southern Arizona.

More than one million Americans are affected by neuromuscular diseases. About 250,000 have some form of muscular dystrophy.

Founded in 1950, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Included in the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA are nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

MDA is the first nonprofit agency to be recognized by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for “significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.”

For more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, including how to donate, visit www.mda.org

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