By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Eighteen teams and 234 people turned out to support Del Rio’s Amistad March, an event designed to raise awareness of people living with disabilities.
Participants marched and rolled under the balloon arch on South Main Street between Ahora y Siempre’s office and the Paul Poag Theatre. The one-block march started on South Main Street, turned onto Canal Street, then right onto Griner Street, right on Greenwood Street and returned to its starting point.
Fransisco Gonzalez, a third of the Gonzalez siblings who own Ahora y Siempre, said the event was a huge success. “We had a mixture of persons with and without disabilities having fun side-by-side but in the end, those with disabilities were front and center,” Gonzalez said. Ahora y Siempre sponsored the event. “But everyone had a smile on their face and had a great time.”
Marchers were led by Harley Davidson-riding members of the Bad Company Motorcycle Club, who provided an escort at the front and back of the march.
One of the marchers was Al Arreola Sr., City of Del Rio mayor, who is at many events in Del Rio, but he said this one had a special place in his heart.
Arreola and his wife Myrella, marched with his brother, Lorenzo.
“Lorenzo is one and a half years older than me and he has disabilities as well,” Arreola said. “He can’t communicate well with others, only family members and his providers can understand him.”
Arreola said the march was a good event for them. “It was a fun day for all of us and to watch them dance and smile brought us so much joy,” Arreola said.
Gonzalez, whose company has offices in Dallas, Austin, Laredo and Del Rio, said it was important for his team to support events like this.
“We had clients who reached out to us and asked us to come to Del Rio in 2014,” Gonzalez said. “Since we arrived here, this community has been so good to us. We feel it’s inappropriate to take resources from here and give nothing back. We must support this great town!”
All finishers received medals and secret judges throughout the route picked the three most spirited teams. The top three most spirited teams were Angel’s Wings, Grifoils and Baby Buddies.
Contact the author at joelalangton@gmail.com .
