Alzheimer’s focus of upcoming May events
Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2008
ELKINS -- Citizens of Elkins and nearby cities will get a chance to be thoroughly entertained even as they contribute to a cause that is near and dear to the heart of one man Luther Scranton, who lost his wife, Linda, to Alzheimer's, started a crusade in the fall of 2007 to help those who have family members with the disease and to raise funds to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
"This is a small step taken here in Elkins and we hope other towns will pick it up and maybe a cure will be found," Scranton said.
He and his friend Jack Bartlett, who had been helping Scranton and lost his mother to Alzheimer's, hope the benefit will spread across the country because their aim is for future generations.
"It's for the youth of America," Scranton said. "It's too late for Linda, Jack's mom and us but it's not too late for a cure for the youth."
Scranton started out with an idea to not only help caregivers of Alzheim- er's patients but to hold a small benefit. But with a lot of devotion to the issue, he and Jack have managed to pull together a week of events that will include a parade, a knowledge fair, a memory walk and even Coach Frank Broyles, who lost his wife to the disease, has volunteered to help.
"I just hope there is a cure out there for future generations," Bartlett said. "It's a horrible disease. It's very hard on families. We just want to raise funds for research to help find a cure."
The week of events planned in Elkins should go a long way to help the cause.
Events planned include • Parade at 11 a.m. to kick off events on Saturday, May 17.
• Knowledge Fair from 1-6 p.m. at the Community Center where citizens can visit with professional healthcare partners and other who will provide information on Alzheimer's and other dementias.
• On that same day, a beans / ham and cornbread lunch will be held at the Elkins Senior Center and Library beginning at 12 p.m. A bake sale will also be held.
• On Wednesday, May 21, the Elkins Public Library will hold a Kids Afternoon with a reading of the book," What's Happening to Grandpa," and children will be making memory boxes.
• At Bunch Park, Saturday, May 24, a blue grass and southern gospel will be held. At 4: 30 Coach Broyles will speak and will have copies of his book," The Caregivers Playbook"on hand. A candlelight vigil will wrap of a full day of various events at 8: 50 p.m.
• Many other events will be taking place as well such as a special lunch Friday hosted by Whistle Stop Seniors at the Durham Community Center.
Scranton said there would be a number of booths with information and some for entertainment as well. Tshirts will also be available.
Scranton and Bartlett said they were amazed so many volunteered their time to help the cause.
"We are so grateful to them," Scranton said.
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