If you are from Apache Junction, you probably know Christa Rizzi and Bob Matsch. They have lived here since 1996 and are true pillars of our community. Christa served eight years on the city council and four years on the school board. Together, they ran Arizona Tiremen Services for many years. You may remember Arizona Tiremen helping to “Stuff the Bus” for Project Help, holding free community barbecues, and just generally going above and beyond for not only their customers, but everyone in AJ.

Christa and Bob have also dedicated countless hours volunteering for the local Boys & Girls Club, started AJ’s first Drug prevention Coalition, and even started a year-round food collection canister at the AJ Library to assist the Superstition Community Food Bank. Basically, Christa and Bob have poured their hearts into Apache Junction and done all they can for its residents every chance they get. Now, they could use our help, and it is our chance to return the favor.

Bob has been fighting an uphill battle with his health for several years now. After many trials and tribulations, Bob and Christa have just received word that Bob is now officially on the lung transplant list! Finally! After all the time, countless appointments, testing, and travel, they are so grateful to have gotten to this point! Once they get the call, Bob will be undergoing a 6-8 hour surgery and receiving a double lung transplant. He is expected to be in the hospital for several weeks after surgery. He will then have to be seen at the hospital every day for at least a month.

Unfortunately, on July 7th while on the way home from an appointment at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the motor of Bob and Christa’s car blew up. They were able to make it to a gas station parking lot where their car ultimately died and had to be towed home. This has put extra strain on an already stressful situation for Bob and Christa as they need to travel back and forth to the hospital for various tests leading up to the surgery. Thankfully, a friend has been allowing them to borrow their car in the meantime, but realistically they will need to replace their car, so they have a reliable source of transportation for all of Bob’s post-surgery appointments.

Additionally, Christa and Bob’s out of pocket portion of not only the surgery, but all the appointments leading up to it are astronomical. Their portion of the surgery alone will leave them in deep debt. They have already sold off a good portion of their belongings to get to this point, and the toughest part of their journey is yet to come. Bills are already falling behind and stress is mounting.

Now is our chance to come together as a community and help these wonderful folks that have done so much for others! It is my hope that we can raise enough money in this campaign that Bob and Christa can quit worrying about financial issues and instead focus on Bob’s road to recovery. For those who prefer donating outside of Go Fund Me, Christa also has Zelle. We appreciate you taking the time to read this campaign and your consideration of helping a couple of truly wonderful people who could really use a hand. Thank you and God Bless!