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Local nursing home fundraiser for alzheimers, cancer
One local nursing home is taking steps to raise money for two different medical causes.
On Friday, Fort Scott Manor, 735 Heylman, conducted a fun night offering community members an opportunity to help the nursing home raise funds which will be divided between Relay for Life and the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.
Fort Scott Manor Administrator Lynette Emmerson created several activities for the children in the community to take part in during their visit to the nursing home. Among the different activities were bowling, basketball, a duck pond, and a couple of different bean bag toss games. Also, event attendees were able to purchase refreshments at the fun night. According to Emmerson, every child who attended the event was given a prize sack.
Emmerson said that she was pleased with the event, which raised about $100 for the two causes and was attended by about 70 community members. Adding that the event helped to generate public awareness of Fort Scott Manor in addition to Relay for Life and the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.
According to Emmerson, one of the reasons that the local nursing home is trying to support the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is because the Manor routinely cares for people who have alzheimers. Also, Emmerson said that she has been involved with the Memory Walk for several years. Currently, she is a co-chair for the annual event, which will be conducted in Pittsburg on May 31.
Emmerson said that the funds raised during the Memory Walk are used to fund some much needed respite for alzheimer patient's caregivers.
"It is so necessary that caregivers get an occasional break so that they can take care of themselves too," Emmerson said.
In addition, she said that the walk helps caregivers realize they are not alone. There are other people out there in the same position that they are in.
According to Emmerson, the Manor's maintenance director Bill Roft and activities director Cindy Hall are serving as co-chairs for the nursing home's Relay for Life team.
According to Roft, the staff at Fort Scott Manor takes care of people who have cancer everyday, and several of those employed at the Manor have family members who have cancer. He said for this reason, it means a lot to the staff to be able to help fight for a cancer cure.
"We want people to know we do care and want to help find a cure for cancer," Roft said. "Whatever we can do to help raise funds to find a cure; we'll do whatever we can."
For more information about the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk or Relay for Life, contact Emmerson or Roft at (620) 223-3120.