Fox fan helps Parkinson’s research

YOUNG PHILANTHROPIST—Alex Hoffman is only 9, but already engaged in charity fundraisingNine-year-old Alex Hoffman is a big “Back to the Future” fan. The Agoura Hills third-grader is so enthusiastic about the three movies and their star, Michael J. Fox, that he’s dedicating his spare time to raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

When Alex first saw the comedic movies about time travel, he instantly became hooked. He’s since kept a collection of “Back to the Future” merchandising and other items from the films, such as the hover boards, and he’s planning a “Back to the Future” museum for his backyard clubhouse.

“I just love those movies,” Alex said. The “Back to the Future” films made him a Fox fan. However, Alex isn’t a fan of Fox’s other movies or TV shows. It’s not that he doesn’t like Fox’s other work; he hasn’t seen it.

About four months ago, Alex was watching entertainment news and saw a piece about Fox and his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders.

Alex didn’t know his favorite actor had Parkinson’s. The boy was devastated. Since then, Alex has been trying to find a way to help the famous actor raise money for medical research.

“Alex has been working on this so hard, and completely on his own,” said Alex’s mother, Gabriella.

This month, Alex is preparing to collect donations for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He made posters to publicize his efforts and collection boxes which his school, Calmont School in Old Topanga, is allowing him to place all over campus.

Alex had previously asked his parents if he could collect donations at school. They suggested that he talk to the school headmaster first, which Alex did.

“The headmaster said that they’re going to dedicate January to (Parkinson’s),” said Alex’s father, Tom. “It’s just incredible that they’ve decided to do this.” Students at the school engage in monthly community service projects. The Fox Foundation will be next month’s project.

To encourage donations, Alex created six songs on Garage Band (a computer music program), which he’s putting on a CD to give to people who donate. Alex also received some hacky sacks from a friend, which he will give to those who donate as well.

“I do fundraisers twice a year myself at home,” Gabriella said. “So Alex kind of grew up with this around him.” Even with that kind of exposure, Alex’s parents couldn’t believe what their son was doing on his own.

He built his own “bank” to store all the money he collects for Fox’s foundation. It’s made from a large cardboard box that once housed his father’s massage chair. Alex cut slots into the box and connected tubing from the slots to smaller bins inside for money collection.

“He’s a junior inventor,” Tom said.

Gabriella conducts a holiday benefit event every year. She usually chooses a small charity to support, but this year she’ll help the Fox Foundation because her son is working so hard, she said. Her benefit took place yesterday.

“I’m so excited to do this,” Alex said. His school will provide Parkinson’s awareness during January and Alex will collect monies during that time. He’ll send the donations to the Fox Foundation in February.

The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991, though he wouldn’t share the news with the public for another seven years. Upon disclosing his condition in 1998, he committed himself to the campaign for increased Parkinson’s research.

For more information about the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, please visit the official website at www. michaeljfox.org.