Martha Young%2c Jay Gibson%2c & Gerri Owen %28brid
Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is near and dear to all who live and work at Edgemere senior living community. Throughout the month of June, residents and staff participated in a variety of fundraising events to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Dallas Chapter. The events were held in anticipation of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “The Longest Day” event. This annual event occurs on the summer solstice, and the duration of this sunrise-to-sunset event symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers. Altogether, the community raised more than $17,000 for Alzheimer’s research.
“It was a welcome surprise to see those numbers,” said John Falldine, managing director of Edgemere. “Every dollar and cent is extremely appreciated and to see $17,000 raised is very gratifying. It goes to show how many people care about those who are affected by this terrible disease. Everyone was able to include their friends and families, and in addition to the money that was raised, I think a lot of lasting memories were made as well. We cherish our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Dallas Chapter. Together, we’ve helped bring substantial awareness to the general public about this devastating disease.”
The community held a Longest Day kick-off party on June 2nd, which included lunch and registration for the Longest Day events and a pay-to-play opportunity to dunk Falldine and Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation President and CEO Charlie Brewer, as well as other staff members, in a dunking booth. A community-wide garage sale was held with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Greater Dallas Chapter. Other fundraising events included Casual for a Cause, where staff members pay to wear jeans on Fridays and an employee raffle for special prizes, and general donations were collected also.
For “The Longest Day,” Team Edgemere put together a “Menu of Events” in which residents participated. At each event, the host stamped the box of the event the resident attended. Participants were entered in a drawing to win an autographed Shin-Soo Choo Texas Rangers jersey. Also taking place the same day was an all-day bridge tournament, led by local Master Teacher and Master Bridge Player Gerrie Owen. Owen donated her time to lead the tournament, which encompassed 12 hours, 34 tables of bridge and 136 players. Edgemere will hold their Annual Ho-Down in September and the proceeds from that event will be added to the $17,000 already raised.