43
Team Indiana Joe ready to go
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.Dom (left), Joe and Jared Bettura pose for a photo during a visit to one of many Canfield High School sporting events Joe attends.
Photo
Indiana Joe co-captain Jared Bettura (left) and friend P.J. Stickle attended lunch at Canfield Middle School. Jared's brother Joe brought lunch to the janitorial staff July 27.
Photo
Neighbors | Christine Keeling.Canfield Middle School janitor Keith Moffo (left) arm wrestled with Joe Bettura during a lunch break. Joe brought pizza and cupcakes to the school July 27.
BY CHRISTINE KEELING
Joe Bettura’s big personality and love for Indiana Jones have come together to help the community.
Team Indiana Joe, co-captained by Joe and his brother, Jared, recruited more than 45 family and friends and surpassed its $2,000 fundraising goal for the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley’s Buddy Walk today at the Shops at Boardman Park.
The team’s first-year success was helped by Joe’s ability to form solid bonds with everyone he meets.
“Cheater,” yelled Joe to Canfield Middle School janitor Keith Moffo, when he tried to use two hands to win at thumb wrestling. The game was part of the fun at a weekly lunch Joe brought to the janitorial staff July 27.
“Our summer job is pretty tedious; it’s a lot of the same stuff over and over,” said Moffo. “Then Joe comes in and spends time with us and we forget about out there. Now there’s a great day.”
More than seven members of the janitorial staff at Canfield Middle School decided to participate in the walk because of the bond they formed with Joe when he participated in a work program with them for three years after his graduation in 2005.
“Jared asked and I like Joe,” said P.J. Stickle on why he joined Team Indiana Joe. Stickle and Jared are members of the Canfield High School basketball team and Joe is their biggest supporter. On July 4, Joe was selling kettlecorn at the Canfield parade to help the team and now three players will join him in the walk.
Joe’s mother, Sharon, said she believes most people who come in contact with him want to support him because he enjoys everything he does.
“I am very proud of the people in the community and how they have responded,” said Sharon.
Community members can walk with Team Indiana Jones with a $10 registration fee or make a donation by sending a check payable to the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley to Team Indiana Jones at 130 Brookpark Dr., Canfield, OH 44406.
For more information on the walk, go to www.DSAV.org.