These Phoenix food vendors were in serious accidents. How to help
It’s been a tough few weeks for the Phoenix food neighborhood as three beloved vendors were in serious automobile accidents that resulted in injury to half or all of their companies and main accidents for 2 of them.
Husband and spouse James and Jawn Golo run a stand on the Downtown Farmers Market promoting produce and honey each Saturday.
Richie Vaia or Richie V. also referred to as the Valley’s “Chicago Hot Dog Guy“ bought Chicago fashion sizzling canine, Italian beef sandwiches and pizza in Chandler.
Although the 2 accidents occurred in totally different cities at totally different occasions, the consequence was the identical: lost vans and vans that meant lack of livelihood. Both vendors are actually in search of the neighborhood’s help to rebuild.
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This refugee farming couple were in a serious automobile accident
On May 26, the Downtown Farmers Market introduced on Instagram that James and Jawn Golo of Golo Family farms had been in an car accident.
James sustained fractures to his ribs and wrist and punctured lungs, whereas Jawn suffered facial fractures, in accordance to their GoFundMe page. The couple spent a while in intensive care. James is now in rehab and Jawn was launched from the hospital and is presently house.
If you ever visited the downtown market and handed by their farm stand, you little doubt were greeted with massive smiles, whether or not or not you stopped to store.
The Golos fled Ethiopia for the United States as refugees in 2009. They started farming via the New Roots Program run by the International Rescue Committee. The couple additionally participated in Feed Phoenix, a volunteer program dedicated to preventing food insecurity.
On May 7, on their means house from the market, a motorist swerved in entrance of their van, pushing them into oncoming visitors and inflicting them to hit a pole.
The neighborhood has rallied to elevate money for a brand new van and to cover medical payments.
So far, the market’s GoFundMe web page has raised $19,315 and can be taking donations on Saturday mornings on the market.
In addition to money, individuals have additionally provided to help in different methods and are providing messages of assist on Instagram.
Kate Paxton posted a reply to the Instagram announcement: “These two are the sweetest! When my son was born during the start of COVID, they celebrated and sang to him so sweetly! He was blessed by them.”
The household might be posting updates to the GoFundMe web page at Help Local AZ Farmer: Golo Family Farm.
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The Chicago Hot Dog Guy was additionally concerned in a horrible accident
On May 30, Richie V, or Richie Vaia, the so-called “Chicago Hot Dog Guy,” was in an accident on his means house from a charity journey.
Although he survived the crash, he suffered fractured toes and the impression utterly destroyed his cell sizzling canine stand.
Vaia opened his sizzling canine business, Richie V’s Chicago Dogs, in April 2021 on the Sunbird Golf Resort.
A year later, in an Instagram video, he introduced his quest to drive from Arizona to Chicago on Route 66. He deliberate to cease in 10 cities and convey the style of Chicago to each at no cost to elevate consciousness for psychological well being and to feed the unhoused.
“I did not sell one hot dog on the trip,” stated Vaia. “Everything was given away at historical landmarks and later in the day feeding a shelter or sober living facility.”
He raised money for fuel and food provides for the cross nation journey via sponsors like Vienna Beef and Micamp Solutions together with donations on Facebook.
“I have a lot of friends and family who are struggling with resources after COVID,” stated Vaia. “And when I serve food, people smile.”
Vaia’s journey was a hit. He fed 1,500 unhoused individuals.
Then, on his drive again to Chandler, he and the cart he was towing were hit by a semi-truck in Albuquerque.
“How am I alive? I must have had an angel protecting me,” stated Vaia. “But I am suffering a lot of physical, emotional and financial pain.”
Vaia advised ABC 15: “I’ll be back stronger than ever. How and When? I don’t know, but I’ll be back.”
He has arrange a GoFundMe to help him rebuild his business and open a brick-and-mortar in Tempe or Chandler. So far, he has raised $7,603 of his objective of $50,000.
His GoFundMe web page will be discovered at this Rebuild Richie V’s Chicago Dogs.
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Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.
