Stepping Toward a Cure for Alzheimer’s
Fall usually ushers in a trove of Northern California activities. This year, like many other annual fall events, protecting the health and safety of the community during the coronavirus pandemic has brought big changes to one — the 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Solano County.
On Saturday, October 10, the walk will be held except, this year, it’ll be bigger than ever as participants across the US complete the fundraising walk in their communities instead of the traditional, large-group event.
At Paradise Valley Estates, our longtime team — the PVE Pacers — is right in the thick of the socially-distant action. For many years, the Pacers have supported the event, which raises funds for the Alzheimer’s Association and their efforts to provide critical care and support services and advance research toward prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer’s.
PVE resident Ken Wright is a five-year member of the fundraiser’s planning committee and team captain for the PVE Pacers. He notes the PVE community is a driving force in the Solano Walk’s success. “PVE is always among the top fundraising teams, last year contributing over $17,000 as the top Solano team of 2019, and PVE is Platinum Sponsor for the Solano County Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” he says.
With the Pacers unable to raise funds through events like the popular “Spit for a Cause” watermelon seed-spitting contest and PVE residents at high risk of contracting COVID-19, members of the PVE staff came up with a creative way to secure donations. On Friday, September 18, a staff crew pitched in for four hours to raise nearly $1,500 through a community car and golf cart wash. The fundraiser, organized by Facilities and Maintenance Director Frank Yates, was made possible by about 28 volunteers from seven different departments at PVE, who washed, cleaned and shined a steady stream of cars, trucks and golf carts to benefit the Pacers’ fundraising effort.
Ken first became involved with the fight against Alzheimer’s after losing his wife Sue to the disease in 2008. Today, he serves on the event planning committee year-round. If you’d like to make a donation to the PVE Pacers team or on behalf of a team member, it’s not too late. Visit the Pacers fundraising page to help them reach their goal. Even though they can’t gather as a team this year, The Pacers’ hearts are as united as ever in their effort to envision a world without Alzheimer’s.
