Roy Allen is Alzheimer’s man in Santa Maria. This effusive, personable fellow is determined to get out the message on the diseases that rob millions of people of years of life: Alzheimer’s and dementia. These disorders of the brain tax and wear out caretakers as well.
For the first time in four years, the local Alzheimer’s group will have a memory walk to raise awareness of the disease. Roy is putting together teams that will walk and celebrate progress being made in medical research.
The Memory Walk will take place on Oct. 4 in Waller Park. To kick things off, the local Alzheimer’s Association had a reception on Monday, July 21, at the party barn of Margie and Chuck Halsell. This barn is fast becoming a magnet for Santa Maria nonprofits. The Halsells built a well-equipped facility is on their lovely Song Lane property off of Blosser Road.
Appropriately, the barn is located a stone’s throw from the Halsells’ residence and a short distance from their beautiful, sunny Alzheimer’s care facility, Magnolia Special Care Center.
Margie told me that local Girl Scouts held a father-daughter dance at the barn, and the Breakfast Rotary held a dinner dance on the premises to mark the stepping down of president Kirk Spry. A group from the Oasis Senior Center also held a luncheon here.
Roy’s group served up a buffet of meatballs, wraps, croissant sandwiches, fruit, cheese, cookies, wine, beverages, and the best lemon cake imaginable. The dynamic Loretta Redd, executive director of the regional Alzheimer’s organization, drove up from Santa Barbara and was pleased at the level of enthusiasm in the Santa Maria supporters. Loretta told the assembled group that, “Alzheimer’s and cancer are the two diseases people fear most.
“Alzheimer’s,” she added, “is a very scary disease.”
Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is a progressive, fatal disease in which brain cells die. About 5 million Americans have it.
Because this was an event to announce team captains already in place, and to encourage the formation of more walking teams, every attendee received a raffle ticket for several great gift baskets.
“We want to do something for you,” Roy told the ticket holders.
Team captain Jim Burubeltz, Santa Lucia Bank vice president and loan officer, will lead a team from the bank. He was at a table with Stephanie Robb of Hancock College. Cece Arroyo, from the Sunrise Lions Club, and Veronica Castellanos, who owns Coffee & Co. in the mall, mingled at the buffet table. Silent auction buff Joyce Ellen Lippman from the Agency on Aging came to get the scoop on the walk. Maureen Withers, former head of Oasis Senior Center, and city councilman Bob Orach were among the 70 or so folks in the crowd.
Cyndi Wittmayer, events coordinator from the San Luis Obispo office, helped out. Bob Morrison, well known for his long association with KCOY, was also on hand. He will emcee the Memory Walk event.
Roy told us that there will be a barbecue and entertainment. Walkers will get a T-shirt and lunch. To defray costs, the Alzheimer’s Association is asking that each walker raise at least $25 from family and friends.
Those wishing to walk or form a team can call Roy at 636-6432. Information is also available at www.centralcoastalz.org.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helen thom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Aug 14-21, 2008.