The Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative serves the community within 60 miles of Elk City. That includes all of Beckham County and several adjacent communities.
For several years, the WOAC has held an event in June called “Paint the Town Purple.”
The objective is to raise awareness for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia- related illnesses and raise funds to assist them and their families.
This year’s event is scheduled from June 1924.
However, Julie Western needs the community to attend their May monthly meeting to make the event successful.
“This year is going to be our best yet,” Western said. “Usually, we do our big event on Friday, but this year we got to rent the Arrowhead Center in Elk City for that Saturday — June 24. We are going to have so much to do. It is a $4 entry. We just need a little more help with volunteers to get it done. We are going to have a walk-a-thon on Saturday from open to close. We will have a Zumba class, a bunko tournament, classes on succulents, and making charcuterie boards. We will have a cornhole tournament outside, along with food trucks. The fire department and police department will be there from 3-5 pm.”
Western encourages willing volunteers to attend one of their final planning meetings from 6-7 pm at the Elk City Assembly of God.
“We encourage families dealing with the struggles that come with Alzheimer’s and other dementia illnesses to reach out to our board members,” Western advised. “We can sometimes help with respite care or getting a oneday caregiver. We also have a monthly support group for those families.”
WOAC is also increasing its scholarships to local students graduating from high school.
“Last year, we gave $500,” Western explained. “This year, we have expanded that from one student to four within Elk City and Canute. We will be giving $1,200 in scholarships to students who are entering into the helping fields. That can be anything from medical to first responders to social workers and more. The students write an essay explaining why they enter this very
needed line of work.”
For more information, visit WOAC’s Facebook page. Twenty percent of Paint the Town Purple goes toward the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association.
