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McNerney, Hosterman, Pico join in Labor Day fundraiser
Safeway hosts 'celebrities,' cheerleaders to support Muscular Dystrophy research

by Jeb Bing

Two mayors and a congressman bagged groceries for more than an hour Monday at Safeway's Pleasanton supermarket to help the Safeway Foundation raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), an organization that helps more than 1 million Americans affected by neuromuscular diseases.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton), Mayor Jennifer Hosterman and former Mayor Tom Pico bagged customers' groceries at breakneck speeds although Safeway representatives chose no winner, saying all three bagged at acceptable speeds. At times, the bagging process slowed as customers took the time to discuss local and national issues and to thank the three for their participation in the MDA fundraising efforts.

In another checkout aisle, MDA "client" and Pleasanton resident David Fletcher, 6, and his father Vince were on hand to greet customers and to share their experiences.

Susan Houghton, director of public affairs for Safeway Corp., which is headquartered n Pleasanton, who was also at the Santa Rita Road store for the Labor Day event, said the Safeway Foundation raises funds for MDA through generous donations by employees and customers. The current MDA campaign ended Monday night. More than $47 million has been raised for MDA by Safeway over the last decade.

Joining in the "Celebrity Bagger" event were sophomore girls who are on the cheerleading squad at Amador Valley High School. They sang, chanted and performed a number of cheerleading acts during the late morning event, bringing loud applause from hundreds of customers and store employees.

Members of the cheerleading squad at the store were Emily St. Pierre, Alex Rooney, Claire Goveia, Eileen Drury, Katy Gibbons, Sarah Loduha and Emily Martin.