Community Supports Little Superhero

GRAND TERRACE>> For the superhero-like Adrina Alvarez, a Colton native who’s been battling cancer since June 2016, Monday, March 20 was a day filled with love and support. On Monday, Genesis Hair Salon hosted a Cut-A-Thon where members of the Colton and Grand Terrace Community could come get a haircut in exchange for donations to the Alvarez family. While members of community were inside getting their hair cut by the many stylists at Genesis Hair Salon and owner Alida Venegas, people could also enter a drawing to win a basket full of goodies, and could purchase bake goods outside that were being sold. Teresa Carpenter, a teacher at San Salvador Preschool, had a booth set up selling self-defense products at the fundraiser and donated her proceeds to the Alvarez family. Grand Terrace resident Lynette Bailey donated the balloons that decorated Genesis hair salon for the fundraiser. Many people came out to the event from all over the community keeping the Hair Salon busy throughout the fundraiser. “I came out today to support this little girl. I feel like my heart hurts for her,” said Julia Firnkoess, a Grand Terrace resident who said she also has a niece battling cancer. “We wanted to be out here to support this little girl and her family as much as we can.” Sandra Delarosa, Grand Terrace resident, was an Instructional Assistant for Adrina at San Salvador Preschool before she became ill and is credited with coming up with the idea for the fundraiser. Delarosa partnered with Debbie Kairis-Wright, a Grand Terrace resident, to make the event a reality. “The outpour of love and support that we received from the community was amazing,” Wright said. Cheri Gomez-Boucher, owner of Dance Dimensions, and her students helped collect donations for the Alvarez family. Sixty dancers from Dance Dimensions came to the fundraiser to show their support and love for Adrina and her family wearing “I’m a Dancer against Cancer” t-shirts. Wright stated that Boucher has one of the biggest hearts and makes it a priority to teach her students that community comes first. Girl Scout Troop 76 also stepped in to donate water, snacks and sweets to sell for the fundraiser and also collected donations outside of the salon. When asked how she felt about the fundraiser that was being held for her, Adrina said it made her feel “really good” and demonstrated how much it meant to her by expanding her arms wide to show how good she felt. “It’s an awesome feeling, you can’t even describe it. People who we wouldn’t even think of asking for help offered to help us,” said Raylene Alvarez, Adrina's mother. “People were so excited to come and meet her; she is like a real life superhero.” In total, the fundraiser raised more than $2,800 from the salon along with $606 and giftcards from Dance Dimensions for Adrina and the Alvarez family.