By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Meadowcrest Apartments recently held their yearly kickoff party for the seventh annual Rock-a-thon, a fundraising event held in conjunction with Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day® fundraiser. 

The event aims to raise support for the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission of fighting Alzheimer’s disease. The Longest Day® takes place on the summer solstice, the annual day with the most sunlight, and is a global call-to-action to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and thelp shine the light of hope by joining in the fight against the darkness of Alzheimer’s.

“It’s the immense support we get from the community that continues to make this fundraiser successful year after year and I hope this June we can paint the town purple with the bows we have for sale in support of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month,” said Meadowcrest Apartments Site Manager Peggy Fowler.

Meadowcrest Apartments has been the top fundraising team in Alabama for the past four years, raising an impressive $15,200 in last year’s Rock-a-thon. Donations are now being accepted and this year’s fundraiser will close out with the annual Rock-a-thon June 24.

The Rock-a-thon is a free public event that will feature live music, door prizes and free refreshments, including hotdogs, chips and sodas. Rocking chairs will be available for guests. Additionally, shirts, hats, ribbons, luminaries, and koozies promoting the event are available for purchase, with proceeds contributing to the fundraising efforts. A barbeque plate sale to benefit the cause will also be held later in the month.

Fowler spearheaded the event and expressed her gratitude and appreciation for both the residents and the local community who have come together to support such an important cause. She encouraged the residents to work hard and strive to exceed last year’s donations.

“So many of you (residents) did so good last year and everyone is just getting better and better at fundraising for this important cause,” Fowler said. “I am deeply grateful to those in the community that support this every year and to the new donors we constantly add.” 

The March 30 kickoff event featured open dialogue as participants discussed Alzheimer’s disease, including warning signs and resources available. Jessica Carpenter Miller, the executive director of the Alabama chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, was present to address questions and share insight on the disease.

One resident, who has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s and has experienced a traumatic brain injury, asked about the potential increased risk of developing the disease. Miller clarified that while brain injuries can put individuals at a higher risk, Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries are different in terms of the brain changes they cause.

Miller shared new information with the residents and thanked them for their continued hard work and dedication to the The Longest Day® fundraiser.

“I have learned of an exciting update since I saw you all last,” Carpenter said. “At the annual Alzheimer’s International Research Conference I learned in detail about two new disease altering drugs that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. These drugs actually attack and remove the plaque buildup in the brain that we see in Alzheimer’s patients. It is very exciting as this is actually the first time we have had a drug of this nature approved by the Food and Drug Administration. 

“The problem now is getting insurance coverage. Veterans Affairs is covering it, but sadly Medicare and Medicaid are not. Most patients would have to pay an immense out of pocket amount. We have lobbied and will continue lobbying for Medicare and Medicaid to change their stance on it and deem it medically necessary. All of this progress has been made possible through the money that you all and those all over the world have raised.”

Alzheimer’s disease affects over 6 million Americans, with more than 94,000 individuals in Alabama alone suffering from the disease, along with their caregivers. The fundraising efforts of Meadowcrest Apartments and their Rock-a-thon contribute to supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission to advance research, provide care and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s, and raise awareness about this debilitating disease.

Monetary donations for the Rock-a-thon can be dropped off at the Meadowcrest office, made online , or mailed to Peggy Fowler at P.O. Box 267 Luverne, AL 36049. Online donations can also be made through Peggy Parker Fowler’s Facebook page.

Donations of door prizes and rocking chairs to be used at the Rock-a-thon are being accepted. If you or your business are interested in donating these items or helping in any other way, or for more information please contact Peggy Fowler at 334-335-6643.