Champions to be recognized at ‘Forget-Me-Not Gala’

Photo

RAMI DAUD | THE VINDICATOR: Looking forward to a gala evening to be presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, are in front, from left, Sherrin Stambaugh, Socrates Kolitsos and Kate Blaney, and in back, Anna Keck, Johanna Nuzzo, Florence Wang, Deanna Spirko, Carol Hitchcock and Pam Rogers. Also involved in planning the event but not pictured are Joe Fleming, Marilyn Herron, Casey Mirkin, Nickie Keagy and Christine Pallo.

CANFIELD

The seventh annual “Forget-Me-Not Gala” will be presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter, April 30 at Tippecanoe Country Club, 5870 Tippecanoe Road, where doors will open at 6 p.m. and a sit-down dinner will be served at 7.

The theme for the evening will be “A Celebration of Our Champions” in recognition of the many “champions” who give of their time and resources in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

Singled out for recognition at the gala for their dedication and support for the association will be two Mahoning Valley residents. Kate Blaney of Hartford, who with her family has long been associated with the Sharon Speedway, will be the 2011 Honoree. Her husband, Lou Blaney, died in 2009 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

Sherrin Stambaugh of Leetonia will be the recipient of the Inspiration Award in recognition of her volunteer work with the chapter and with the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Boardman. Her mother, Lou Deffenbaugh, has been battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

The gala will feature live and silent auctions for such prizes as a vacation at a three-bedroom house in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Allegiant Airlines tickets to the beach location; for a weekend at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania; and for sports tickets and items that include a Pittsburgh Steelers football signed by the team. Bids will also be accepted for tickets and accommodations to an upcoming NASCAR race provided by the Blaney family, and Anderson Coach & Travel.

Special tickets will be sold for a raffle of a diamond pendant that Komara Jewelers donated.

Entertainment will be by the Rick Barber Trio and disc jockey Jeremy Cole of D and R Audio.

Gold sponsors include Aim NationaLease, Fleming Leasing, Comfort Keepers, the Dunham Family Foundation and Home Instead Senior Care. Silver sponsors include Humility of Mary Health Partners, Ivy Woods Manor, Lt. Jason Welther of the U.S. Navy, Senior Independence, Windsor House and V&M Star.

Tickets for the gala are $85 per person, and proceeds from the fundraiser will support local programs, services and research to combat the disease, which affects an estimated 5.4 million Americans. The Greater East Ohio Area Chapter provides services and programs locally to more than 60,000 people afflicted with the disease and 250,000 family members and caregivers.

For ticket information and details about sponsorship, call Helen Paes at the Alzheimer’s Association at 330-533-3300.