CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
(R-W.Va.) made several stops in Charleston, W.Va. where she met with leadership
from The Mountain Mission and community business leaders, followed by a visit
to the Rock Steady Boxing Class, hosted by The West Virginia Parkinson’s
Support Network.
First,
Senator Capito traveled to the West Virginia State Capitol where she witnessed
The Mountain Mission team break a Guinness Book of World Record by building the
world’s largest word made of packaged food. The group broke the previous
record, which was 5,791 items, by using 20,000 cans to spell the word,
“Mountaineers.” Mountain Mission’s food pantry will distribute the 20,000 cans
this holiday season.
“For years, Mountain
Mission has provided a variety of assistance to those in need,” Senator Capito said. “I am so proud of
the hard work of their entire team as they not only broke a world record, but
helped the community in the process. I commend their gracious service, and
appreciate the opportunity today to learn more about their operations and their
goals for the future.”
“I want to thank Senator Capito for taking time out
of her busy schedule to join us on this very special day. The senator has
always been a huge supporter of our ministry of helping hurting families
throughout the Greater Kanawha Valley so her presence today meant a lot to our
organization. We are very thankful to receive this large donation of food that
will assist us in feeding local families during the upcoming holiday season and
beyond,” John Roberts, Executive
Director of The Mountain Mission, said.
Next, Senator Capito traveled to
the Charleston YMCA where she attended a boxing class for people with
Parkinson’s disease. Senator Capito is a champion for individuals with
Parkinson’s, helping to fund projects in West Virginia that will support people
with neurological diseases, especially those with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Senator Capito is also the lead sponsor in the U.S. Senate of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, which she introduced in September to unite the
federal government in a mission to cure and prevent Parkinson’s, alleviate
financial and health burdens on American families, and reduce government
spending over time.
“Far
too many West Virginians are impacted by Parkinson’s disease—whether they are
living with the disease or caring with someone impacted by it. Research
continues to show that exercise can actually slow the progression of
Parkinson’s, and those participating in this boxing class today are literally
taking the disease on one punch at a time,” Senator Capito said.
“West Virginia is becoming a
leader in the effort to prevent Parkinson’s and care for those already living
with the disease, and Sen. Capito is an important part of that,” Charleston Parkinson’s Support Group
Director George Manahan said. “West Virginia is only the fourth state in
the country to establish a Parkinson’s Registry and Sen. Capito’s lead on this
national legislation has people in the Parkinson’s community taking notice.”
Photos from today’s
events are included below:
\U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) witnesses
Mountain Mission break a Guinness Book of World Record in Charleston, W.Va. on Saturday,
November 5, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits a boxing
class for those living with Parkinson’s disease at the Charleston YMCA in Charleston,
W.Va. on Saturday, November 5, 2022.
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