What started as a simple request in September of 2007 has turned into so much more for one Valley family. A week ago, Mission of Love volunteers showed up at the home of Felix Rivera to reveal the plans for an addition that will allow him to move around and even enjoy being outside for the first time in four years.
Felix’s story goes back to 1957 when he came to America from Puerto Rico. He moved to New Jersey and went through the requirements to gain his U.S. citizenship.
In 1973, he moved to the area and was hired by General Motors Lordstown. He worked at the assembly plant for 28 years, finally taking his retirement in 2001. He was already to set back an enjoy life at his Early Road home on the East Side.
On Sept. 2, 2005, he was involved in a golf cart accident that threw him from the cart and caused him to strike his shoulder blade. Was seemed like a minor wound, ended up causing serious damage to his spine. The accident put him in a wheelchair and limited his activities. When he had to make his medical appointments, he would have to be physically lifted into the family car for the trip.
On Sept. 12, 2007, his wife Virgen sent a letter to Kathy Price and Mission of Love, requesting help in getting a handicapped-accessible vehicle. She wrote Price telling her that her son had been searching for some time for such a vehicle, but had no luck.
“Because Mission of Love has done such wonders for the needy, we are hoping that your organization can help this family to find the appropriate vehicle needed,” Virgen wrote.
Mission of Love did come through when Price located a van in Cleveland that was available for $3,000. The van was purchased through donations and delivered to the Rivera family.
Since then Price has went to work on a second issue. That issue is the construction of an addition to the Rivera home that will give Felix a chance to move around a little. A week ago, Price and a group of volunteers showed up at the Rivera home to reveal the blueprints for the addition.
“All we are waiting on is a few permits,” Price said. “Once we start, we will have the addition up in four days.”
One person who will be swinging a hammer when the work begins is George Caban, also know as Porgie the Clown. He took time between clown jobs to join in the unveiling of the plans.
Caban and Felix are best freinds. They worked together at Lordstown and were often seen together.
“We would often share the ride to work,” Caban said.
While Caban spends his time making people laugh, he did get the joy back on Friday in knowing his best friend will have a better life with the planned addition.
“He is my best friend,” Caban said. “He needs a more expansive house so he can move his wheelchair around and just have more freedom. After all the years he worked hard and gave to this Valley, he deserves it.”
Price said she is still looking for building materials. On Saturday she held a lemonade sale to help raise money, but needed a lot more to complete the list of materials in time for construction to start.
Realizing the need, Kathy’s sister Marge Collins and niece Kristin Sailor jumped on board. The two women are the owners of Maggies Magic Muffins on Southern Boulevard in Boardman. They put together a one-time event for Sunday, July 11 at the locally famous bakery. The event will feature a variety of musicians including Guilty Pleasures, Steve Vuich and Gladys Avenue, which are acoustic bands that play singer-songwriter creations.
The event will also feature readings by psychic Barb Anderson and four local artists, including Daniel Horne, Marcie Roepke-Applegate, Amber Pence and Susan Green. Each artist has donated some of their work for a Chinese auction. Sailor said the music group Gladys Avenue is from Cleveland and will make the trip here to donate their time to help.
“We’re normally not opened on Sundays,” said Sailor. “When we heard about Felix and his situation, we decided it was a situation we could participate in. We feel it is important to do charitable work in the community. The event was put together in a very short time, but is getting a lot of support.”
In less than a week, the two women began putting together the fundraiser. They will have fresh muffins and their normal weekday lunch menu. Sailor said all the proceeds from the day will go to Mission of Love for the Rivera’s addition. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Maggie’s, 7932 Southern Blvd., in Boardman.
For Price, the helping hand that has gone around the world, will be stretched closer to home to help the Rivera family and a man who, despite his present condition, can still put a smile on his face and shed a tear of joy.
Price said, “It is simply reaching out to someone in need. He is right there in our back yard, so why not.”
To donate to Mission of Love for this project, visit www.missionoflove.org or to keep up with the Maggies Magic Muffin event, visit www.maggiesmagicmuffins.com.
