By Michelle S. Richmond

At a private ceremony early Monday, Valerie Cox, operations manager for Smart Mart located at 153 Marlborough St. in Portland, presented ALS patient Mary-Jo Maruschock with a check for $500, the result of a community campaign. According to Cox, Smart Mart has been accepting donations from local patrons since February for this very worthy cause. "We contacted the Portland Visiting Nurse's Association because we were looking for a good cause to assist," explained Cox. "We asked for their advice and they told us about Mary-Jo. So we offered to raise money to help her pay, for some of her medical care. A "money meter," resembling a parking meter, was installed at the entrance of the store and customers have been dropping donations into it since the campaign began. "Right now we've collected $400 and the owner of Smart Mart, Kevin Danby, has contributed an additional $100," stated Cox. "We plan to continue this indefinitely."

Maruschock, the mother of two sons, Scott, age 11 and Sean, 19, expressed much gratitude. A staff member of Valley View and Gildersleeve Schools for eight years, she was stricken with ALS, the illness which slowly destroys the nervous system - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease - four years ago. "Everyone has been wonderful," she stated. "The schools produced a play recently, called 'Clowns,' and gave me the proceeds."

Maruschock's husband, Frank, an employee at Pratt & Whitney for 31 years, works midnight to 7 a.m. and is on hand during the day to assist his wife, in between "cat naps." I have to wake Frank up to help get me to the bathroom and rely on my sons when they're around - especially during the night," said Maruschock. "The visiting nurses come everyday from 8:50 - 10:30 a.m. and help me shower, etc.," she explained. "My church, St. Mary's, has been wonderful. They bring me meals three times a week and friends visit and bring me things."

Sadly, there is no cure for ALS. "I worked for a year and a half after I was diagnosed but had to eventually quit," stated Maruschock. "It's getting progressively worse. I take Motrin for the pain, Prozac and sleeping pills so I can get some sleep." Staring at her beautifully manicured fingernails, Maruschock stated, "One of the advantages of this disease is that your nails don't get messed up. I don't get to use my hands much anymore." According to Cox, anyone wishing to contribute to the Maruschock fund is encouraged to stop by the store. "We'll continue our collection indefinitely. This is just the beginning and every little bit helps."

Smart Shop is open daily 6 a.m. - 10-p.m. For more information, call: 342-1004.

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