La Crescenta resident Gavin Dinger, 8, son of Rick and Heather Dinger, has been the top fundraiser for the Glendale Downtown Dash for the past three years. Last year, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, which benefits from the 5K event, named an award after Gavin. This year appears to be no different.

With help from his parents, each year Gavin asks 1,000 people to donate $5 so he can reach his goal of $5,000. His parents set up a website to make it easy for people to donate $5 online at www.gavindinger.com.

This event is particularly dear to the Dinger family because Gavin suffered a stroke while he was in utero, which affected the right side of his body. He has undergone speech, occupational and physical therapy at Glendale Adventist Medical Center to repair the harm caused by the stroke. But he still makes time for school, sports and raising money for fellow stroke survivors.    Stroke is the second leading of cause of death in the San Fernando Valley and the second leading cause of adult disability in America. Proceeds from the Downtown Dash benefit services for community stroke victims and is sponsored by the Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the Downtown Glendale Merchants Association.