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[September 21, 2015]
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On Thursday afternoon, staff
and residents at Christian Village hosted a special event in the
parking lot of the George D. Gahr Memory Care Center. The group was
there to release purple balloons to raise awareness for Alzheimer's
Disease.
The event began with activity aide Denise Shook reading a couple of
poems that related directly to aging and loss of memory. Afterward,
the balloons were released into the sky. It was a windy day, and the
balloons lifted immediately and floated northward. In just a moment,
they were gone out of sight.
Each balloon carried a tag that identified the Christian Village as
the 'sender' of a message about Alzheimer's Disease. The tag also
encouraged the receiver to contact the Village to let them know they
had found the balloon. Also, the card offered the finder of the
balloon an opportunity to remember an Alzheimer victim who may be or
may have been close to him or her.
After the lift-off, Shook led the residents in a few songs and
sit-down exercises. The sun was bearing down on the parking lot, and
it was becoming quite warm, so the decision was made to move the
balance of the activities back inside.
The Christian Village will be spending the weekend raising awareness
and money for Alzheimer's research. Staff will be wearing purple and
blue throughout the weekend. On Thursday, the community was invited
to the Village for lunch. Those who attended were able to purchase
walking tacos. For each meal sold a donation will be made to
Alzheimer's research.
Today (Saturday), there will be a second balloon launch at the
Village, and several of the Village staff will be traveling to
Springfield to participate in the "Walk to end Alzheimer's."
All the funds raised through the weekend of activities will be given
to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Pictures by Nila Smith |
