Saturday, October 5, 2024
AZLE — Local senior living facility Legacy Oaks of Azle celebrated the summer solstice and raised money for Alzheimer's research Friday, June 21, with The Longest Day Carnival. The solstice marks the longest period of daylight and shortest night of the year. The Alzheimer’s Association and others around the country have chosen this date to raise funds for dementia research to “fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s.” In 2024, nearly 7 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, 27% aged 74 or younger.
The carnival in Azle sold tickets for a wide variety of games and activities including face painting, a dunk tank, Pop-a-Shot and more. In an email sent to the Tri-County Reporter, LOOA Executive Director Nichol Wesson reported the business raised $2,534.45 with over 100 guests in attendance.
“The residents enjoy this event since there are so many different activities they are able to participate in and this year we had resident volunteers managing some of the tables,” Wesson said. “This was my second year in the dunk tank, and it was a lot of fun. We let the staff and residents vote for which directors they want in the dunk tank, and we select the top four. I’m not sure who liked dunking me the most: the residents, staff, or my daughter.”
Last year, Legacy Oaks similarly raised over $2,000 during the celebration. One major draw to the event was its outdoor petting zoo made up of rabbits, chickens and a goat. The animals are owned by the family of the site’s activities director, who kept close watch over her mixed flock.
“Everybody loves them,” LOOA Activities Director Katelynn Guereca said of the animals. “Sometimes my mom will bring them for support, the bunnies, therapy and everybody tends to love them. My grandma had Alzheimer’s. It’s just amazing they’ve got such a wonderful way for so many people to come out and support and hopefully one day we’ll find a cure.”
More information about Legacy Oaks of Azle, an independent living, assisted living and memory care community, can be found by visiting its website www.civitasseniorliving.com/legacy-oaks-of-azle.
