Best of the West noms open
‘Junie B. Jones Jr. the Musical’
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This Week
Peoria High grad signs to play b-ball at Benedictine
FEATURES..... 19 Hamby poised to transform Theater Works
OPINION........................10 BUSINESS......................14 SPORTS..........................18 FEATURES......................19 CALENDAR....................21 RELIGION.......................24 YOUTH...........................26 CLASSIFIEDS..................29
August 11, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
HOPE Team recognized by Rep. Debbie Lesko BY JORDAN ROGERS Peoria Times Staff Writer
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he HOPE Team, a nonprofit organization serving cancer patients, has received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. Debbie Lesko. Operating out of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Phoenix, the HOPE Team was established as a 501(c)(3) in 2009. The team’s mission is to take care of patients by taking cancer off of their minds, even if for a short while. Over the last five years, the HOPE Team has spent over $500,000 on patients by sending them to movies, dinners,
sporting events, bingo, crafts and more. Friendships are made at every event. “I can’t tell you how many bucket lists we’ve made for the cancer patients,” said Larry Atkinson, HOPE Team volunteer program manager. For Atkinson, the award from Lesko is a huge deal. For all of the work he and his team do, the recognition is appreciated. “They discovered the hole in my office where I fell through the floor when Debbie Lesko’s office called to say that we were getting the Congressional Recognition Award,” Atkinson joked. “It just means a lot to me,” he added. “It’s a pat on the back. It’s knowing that a member of the House of Representatives
wanted to thank the HOPE Team and went through the paperwork to have that recognition certified and presented.” Atkinson said there is no other organization in Maricopa County that does what the HOPE Team does. In fact, nationwide, patients “west of the Mississippi” travel to the Valley to receive what the nonprofit offers. This year so far, the HOPE Team has raised more than $50,000 for its patients from groups like the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Intel, as well as foundations and other sources. “A lot of folks understand what we’re
SEE HOPE PAGE 3
Bashas’ roof partially collapses after storm hits the Valley BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
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art of the roof at the Bashas’ store near 75th Avenue and Thunderbird Road collapsed early in the morning on Aug. 4 after a heavy storm hit the Valley. Fire crews from Peoria, Glendale and Phoenix were all on-site, as they each responded to reports of a gas leak at the store. There were no injuries to any employees or firefighters at the scene. SEE ROOF PAGE 6
Part of Bashas’ roof caved in after a heavy storm while firefighters were at the scene for a gas leak. No firefighters or employees were injured. (Submitted)
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