PATAGONIA PEOPLE NOW: Dr. John Arnold

Believe It or Not, dear readers, sometimes it takes a newspaper report from halfway around the world - this one from Nigeria published yesterday to focus on an individual in Patagonia whose achievements in philanthropy and micro-business have touched the lives of millions around the world.
Like Dr. Delmar Mock, the subject of an earlier posting, John goes largely unnoticed or unrecognized here most of the time although the reach of his dedication has extended around the world.
You can view more details by going to http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/living/2009/aug/22/living-22-08-2009-004.htm
On weekends here in Patagonia, John opens Grayce’s Gift & Candle Shop, founded by his mother Grayce Bogden Arnold in 1975, as well as the Dia de Los Muertos Museum, which the Smithsonian Institute has recognized as the “first of its kind in North America.”

They are both located on the north side of Naugle Avenue or Route 82 at the eastern end of town
http://www.patagoniaaz.com/shop_Grayces.html

Among some of John's accomplishments cited in the article mentioned above, are 40 years of collaboration with Dr. John Arnold, the PPEP Board of Directors and dedicated staff carrying out the dreams to “improve the quality of life” of the farm workers and rural poor who visited the bus in those formative years. His work has been cited as national models 10 times in U.S Congressional Records, including citations by U.S Congressmen Udall, Kolbe, Grijalva, Gifford and Senators Deconcini, McCain, Kyl and Enzi of Wyoming. Also, his programmes have been honoured twice at the White House, among numerous other nationally and internationally recognitions.
We salute John Arnold both for his lifetime work in philanthropy in the United States and Mexico, and creating a legacy of achievement for future generations. Bravo!

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/living/2009/aug/22/living-22-08-2009-004.htm