THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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This Week
NEWS .............. 8 Voting polls open at Avondale City Hall
SPORTS ........ 18 Four SW Valley football teams headed to the state playoffs
9 DAYS ......... 20 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS ........................12 BUSINESS..................... 14 SPORTS ..........................17 FEATURES .....................23 NEIGHBORHOOD......27 SCHOOLS .....................28 OBITUARIES .................31 CLASSIFIEDS................32 SOUTH
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The Voice of the West Valley for 32 years
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November 1, 2017
Inmates, Perryville staff show support for troops By Connor Dziawura
Perryville inmates and employees worked together to assemble care packages of donated items for troops at the prison Tuesday, October 24. The event – hosted by the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) and Military Assistance Mission (MAM) – began at 7 a.m. “We like to give back to our veterans, whether they work for us or not,” said Rachel Theodore, ADC’s equal opportunity coordinator. “It’s our opportunity to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice and their service for our country.” The Arizona Department of Corrections held a drive from September 3 to October 20. Inmates participated in fundraisers, while ADC employees were encouraged to donate and collect items. ADC’s Correctional Officer Training Academy was heavily involved in the fundraising. Ultimately, more than $39,000 was raised, which went to MAM to use as it saw fit. The list of donated items is extensive, ranging from personal hygiene items, such as deodorant, mouthwash and tissues, to books, plastic bags, composition books, crossword puzzles and food. “Everything is appreciated, but the food for them is the hardest to get by,” said Monique Quinones, MAM’s director of operations. “That’s kind of why we’re
Maria Nunez (left) and Taylor Soderquist (right) build care packages during the packing party. (West Valley View photo by Jordan Christopher)
doing a little heavy on the food. We got some good things.” Donations were also given by outof-state organizations. Delta Dental of Illinois donated 250 toothbrushes and 250 tubes of toothpaste, while various schools submitted drawings. This is the second year ADC has held the care package drive. Last year, they worked with Tucson Area Marine Moms in ASPC-Tucson’s Whetstone Unit, where
the Regaining Honor veteran inmates assisted them. This is the drive’s first year with MAM, with whom ADC is hoping to work again. They would like to expand, bringing in more organizations and packing more boxes. “They (ADC) asked and we said, ‘Sure, we’d love to,’” explained Michelle Fawbush, MAM’s director of development.
Perryville...continued on page 3
Traveling Vietnam Wall coming for Veterans Day By Connor Dziawura
“Honor. Respect. Remember.” That is the American Veterans Traveling Tribute’s (AVTT) motto. The veteran-owned business is bringing its Traveling Vietnam Wall to Earl Edgar Recreational Facility in Buckeye to honor Veterans Day. The 80-percent-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. will be on view Thursday, November 9, through Sunday, November 12. “It’s a very touching experience for
anyone to come and be a part of it, especially if they have some of the history,” said Myra Curtis, Buckeye community engagement manager. “I would encourage families to educate their students or youth about the Vietnam era. They should learn why the war took place and what happened here in America while it was taking place. These young people received a non-heroes’ welcome when they returned to our country.”
The wall has more than 58,000 engraved names of killed or missing Vietnam servicemen. “I think it’s very important for us to understand what’s happened in the past, what part of it was the right thing to do and what part of it should never repeat itself in the future of America,” Curtis added. The wall is 8-feet-tall at the apex and
Wall...continued on page 2