‘The Longest Day’ Promotes Alzheimer’s Awareness

‘The Longest Day’ Promotes Alzheimer’s Awareness
Activities in Fremont hopes to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research, relief

FREMONT– The Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is raising funds June 21 across Fremont as part of an event called The Longest Day, designed to bring people together in the effort to raise awareness about the progressive and fatal disease.

As part of The Longest Day, the association and community partners ranging from local businesses to Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial will be engaging in activities starting at 6:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. The activities are open to the entire family, and donations of any amount at each of the activity sites will go toward the care, research and support efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
 The events are:

•   6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Koffee Kuppe Giveback
•   9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Yoga at Veteran’s Memorial Park (If rain, at Fremont Recreation Center)
•   10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Create a Card at Main Street Café Banquet Room
•   12 p.m.-1 p.m.: Lunch at the Moose Lodge Giveback
•   1 p.m.-2 p.m.: BINGO with Transitional Health Services of Fremont at the Moose Lodge
•   3 p.m.-5 p.m.: Showing of the movie Still Alice at Fremont Library Community Room
•   5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Hungry, Hungry Hippos Tournament at The REC
•   8 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Sunset yoga at Veteran’s Memorial Park
•   8:30 p.m.-9 p.m.: Closing ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park

 
Hungry, Hungry Hippos is a live version of the popular children’s table game. Players will be in teams, and will vie for gathering the most balls in a basket while being scooted across the floor on a wheeled cart. This human version creates a lot of chaos, fun and laughter. Teams are needed for this tournament. If your family, group or friends are interested in becoming a team, please contact Kayla Myers 231.780.1922 or [email protected].

“We’re excited to support an important effort that can help provide support and relief to so many families facing this terrible disease,” said Gerber Memorial’s Sally Wagoner, RN, and the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Great Lakes Chapter’s West Shore Region volunteer of the year for 2017. “The Longest Day is a great opportunity for parents and their kids to come out, have fun doing fun things and raise much needed money that can make an impact in Michigan and beyond.”

Jena Zeerip will be volunteering at the screening of Still Alice, and Wagoner is volunteering at the Create-a-Card location.

​“The Alzheimer’s Association is grateful to businesses, groups and individuals throughout Newaygo County who are donating their time and their energy to support our work,” said Kayla Myers, Special Events Coordinator  Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter. “We invite everyone to come to The Longest Day, be part of the activities and help us make a difference.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal disease which affects over 5 million  Americans and 180,000 Michiganders. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the state, which is home to more than 510,000 caregivers. According to the 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report released earlier this year, nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women.
 

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