Villa Gardens Employees and Residents Walk for Alzheimer’s Cure

-Courtesy Photo

On Sunday November 4, 2012, the 20th annual Los Angeles 5K “Walk to End Alzheimers” was held in Century Park. While over 3,000 participants were expected from all over Los Angeles, a special group from Pasadena participated as a family. 53 people from Villa Gardens rode a chartered bus to Century City and made the trek around Century City, having raised a total of $7,998.50 for the Alzheimer’s Association as of Thu 11/1.
A special luncheon to honor the participants was held on Thu 11/1 at Villa Gardens, where Executive Director Dmitry Estrin acknowledged the different people and groups. 47 of Villa Gardens’ approximately 200 employees were honored (most of whom wore their official blue and white walker tee shirts to lunch). Two children of employees, three residents, and one family member rounded out the group. Several generations walked the 3.2 mile route, including one 10 year old, and one 90 year old.
The participating residents are Elizabeth Hofman (76), Carol Pearson (81), and Jaqui Tascher (90). Staff member Irma Gallegos and her team raised $672 with one bake sale, and the bulk of the rest of the donations were made by the personal generosity and support of Villa Gardens residents.
Asked why they are walking to end Alzheimers, several participants shared heartwarming stories of loved ones suffering with the disease that afflicts so many senior citizens, and has no cure. One employee said “it was very emotional to see so many families touched by Alzheimer’s, but it was also encouraging to know that awareness was being raised.”
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association visit www.alz.org. To learn more about Villa Gardens, visit www.villagardens.org.

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