By Richard Dyer
Twitter: @RHDyer

Two Apache Junction businesses are seeking sponsors for a March 20 customer appreciation day and car show at 155 N. Meridian Drive that will benefit the National Kidney Foundation.

The foundation is dedicated to awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease, according to kidney.org.

MVS Tags and Title and Efficient Roofing are hosting the event, which will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday.

“All attending need to practice social distancing. There will be hand-sanitizing areas. All booths and cars will be 6 feet apart,” Stephanie Yoda, service coordinator at Efficient Roofing, 155 N. Meridian Drive Suite No. 104, said in an email.

Kidney ailments are a daily concern for Lorene Fink, owner of MVS Tags and Title, she said in an email.

“We chose the National Kidney Foundation because March is kidney awareness month. But, I think fate stepped in,” she said.

“I was born with kidney issues and have dealt with issues all my life. At this point in my life I am at 36% kidney function and really high protein level. I also had a father-in-law that lost one of his kidneys,” Ms. Fink said.

There will likely be a lot of people wearing green at the customer appreciation day and car show, she said.

“The color is green. I will make sure that we all wear our ‘Donate for life’ shirts this day,” she said. “So, you can see that the kidney awareness means something for me. And because at MVS (Tags and Title) you can sign up to be a donor of all sorts. We will ask the donor group if they want to come set up a booth. They can give away lots of goodies.”

Dunk tank and pie-throwing areas are planned. Ms. Fink has volunteered to take her chances in the dunk tank, and Justin Loflin, owner of Efficient Roofing, will allow kids and adults to take a shot at giving him a pie in the face. There also will be food trucks and a bounce house for kids, according to a release.

“We will have anywhere from 30-40 cars, trucks and motorcycles for everyone to enjoy, along with a contest for ‘people’s choice,’ ‘best in show.’ We will also have music, along with a live auction and raffle,” the release states.

Sponsors needed

Business opportunities at the customer appreciation day and car show include vendor booths, offering items for an auction or raffle and becoming a sponsor. For all of these, call Efficient Roofing at 480-671-5769.

“We are looking for sponsors to help with this event and we’re wanting to see who is interested,” the release states. “We think this would be a great opportunity to advertise your business. If you decide that you would like to participate or donate, we will add your business name and logo to our event flyers and banner.”

Vendor booths will be set up in 12-foot by 12-foot areas in the back parking lot to sell items pertaining to that business.

“Hand-out brochures, make deals, schedule sales and/or service appointments, etc. All we are asking is for a donation to reserve a spot. All of your donation will be given to the (National Kidney Foundation); however, any sales or proceeds you make during the event are 100% yours to keep. We will also add your business name/logo to our fliers and event banner,” the release states.

Gift cards, gift baskets, service give-aways, etc., are needed to auction or raffle off at the event, with all proceeds going directly to the National Kidney Foundation. The business name/logo will be added to flyers and the event banner.

For those who make a donation of $50 or more to benefit the National Kidney Foundation, their names will be added to the event flyer and banner, and can advertise their business during the show via the DJ booth.

“We are hoping this is the start to many more community events to come,” according to the release.” We are looking forward to spreading the word of our many beloved dealers and clients to the community, along with showing all of our local customers some much-needed appreciation and fun during these trying times.”

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Meet Richard
Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.  

Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. 

Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.

Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.

Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.