VALLEY GRANDE — Monday was not just a regular Monday in Valley Grande. It was “J.C. Higginbotham Day.”

To thank J.C. for serving as the Alabama “good will ambassador” with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA, Oct. 4 was declared as “J.C. Higginbotham Day” in the town.

Valley Grande Mayor Tom Lee met J.C. Higginbotham, 11, on the Fourth of July at a city celebration and was impressed with his involvement with MDA.

“We decided because of his notoriety, as far as being the poster child for this area, we wanted to do something for him,” Lee said.

J.C. was selected as the state ambassador for 2009, traveling around the state to muscular dystrophy fundraisers, putting a face and a name with the disease. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was 6-years old.

“It feels good to have a day named after me and I thank everybody for supporting MDA,” J.C. said.

Being ambassador has its perks. Of all the events J.C. has visited, the three he remembers most are meeting Gov. Bob Riley, touching a catfish in Prattville and meeting the country music group Lonestar.

“They let me meet them and shake their hand,” J.C. said about meeting Lonestar.

Although J.C. is not the official ambassador anymore, he does still make appearances at local events, such as the upcoming golf tournament at Valley Grande golf course, which will donate all proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“He is a great kid with a great attitude,” said Phyllis McWilliams, J.C.’s fifth grade teacher. “The day that they gave as honoring him with JC Higginbotham Day, he deserves it.”

Muscular dystrophy weakens the muscles in the body and causes a gradual decrease of muscle tissue through the years.

MDA is a nonprofit organization that raises money to support research to find a curse for muscular dystrophy.