‘Painting the Face on Alzheimer’s’ Fund-raiser Slated for April 29

HOLYOKE — The Pioneer Valley Friends of Alzheimer’s Assoc. will hold a fund-raiser at the Log Cabin on Saturday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. The festivities will include live entertainment, food, and raffles. Entertainment will include the Sarah the Fiddler Band, Richie Mitnick and Friends, and Now’s the Time Jazz Sextet. The host for the evening will be Ashley Kohl.

Also featured will be the sale of artwork created by residents of assisted-living and skilled-nursing communities throughout Western Mass. This part of the program — “Painting the Face on Alzheimer’s” — will include art that was created using the ‘memories method,’ a process that encourages self-expression through art, focusing on the process of creating, among those facing dementia. For these individuals, the axiom that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ rings true, as their ability to communicate in traditional ways may decrease, but the need to communicate remains.

This year’s event will be dedicated to Susan Brooks, a fellow committee member, who passed away recently. Her life and her contributions to the Alzheimer’s community will be celebrated.

The evening’s proceeds will fund various programs for the local Alzheimer’s Assoc. chapter, including a respite scholarship program for families, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and referral services for families who have loved ones with the disease.

Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase tickets, contact Claudette Smart at (413) 636-5462 or cchaddansm@gmail.com. Make checks payable to PVFAA (Pioneer Valley Friends of Alzheimer’s Assoc.) at P.O. Box 164, Agawam, MA 01001.