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Alzheimer’s Aid Society Schedules Nov. 8 Benefit Dinner

By Daniel Dullum
Spectrum staff

With an ongoing need for services and a steady schedule of support group meetings to fund, the Alzheimer’s Aid Society of Northern California was looking for a little assistance from the community to help continue its work.

The response exceeded their highest expectations.

“Businesses, both locally and out of state, have been very generous on donating prizes and gifts for our auctions,” said Sal Arrigo, a member of the society’s board of directors. “This is the first dinner/auction for the Alzheimer’s Aid Society, and the community has certainly come through for us.”

On Nov. 8, the Alzheimer’s Aid Society hosts “An Evening to Reminisce,” a fundraiser that includes both silent and live auctions, a raffle and dinner to benefit those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

The event takes place at the Sacramento Association of Realtors building, 2003 Howe Ave., Sacramento. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Cocktails, the silent auction and raffle are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by the live auction. Lois Hart, news anchor at KCRA-TV, is the master of ceremonies.

More than 70 items donated by area businesses and individuals will be auctioned off, including River Cats’ baseball ticket packages and a tour of Raley Field, a pair of Sacramento Kings tickets, a 90-minute ride in a sheriff’s helicopter on patrol for two, and six bottles of wine — valued at $500 — from a local winery.

Also up for bid is a stay at the Hotel Edison in Times Square, New York City; a two-night stay at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.; an Old Sacramento riverboat cruise for two, a Roseville (Ohio) Pottery item with an estimated value of $250, and a cedar chest from Naturewood Home Furnishings.

“The items are available for bidding for all levels of income,” said Arrigo.

One of the auction items is a personal tour of the KCRA studios with Hart. “We’re appraising that tour as ‘priceless,’” Arrigo said.
“We’ve been operating 22 years, and this is only our second fundraiser,”

said John Gorman, co-founder of the Alzheimer’s Aid Society. “This event makes a huge difference in our operating budget. And it can help us do so much more.

“All of the money is kept locally for local services. With our respite program, scholarship programs and so forth, we’ve got all kinds of things going on,” Gorman continued. “All of our money goes to services. There’s no administration at all other than renting the office. It’s been that way for 22 years.”

The Alzheimer’s Aid Society conducts more than 85 training workshops, and a crew of 90 volunteers responds to some 18,000 telephone calls a year. The group’s mailing list has more than 15,000 entries.

“We average five to seven new families a day,” Gorman said. “The volunteers are a sounding board for those who call, and they all have been associated with someone having Alzheimer’s in one way or another. Sometimes, they’re on the phone for 30 minutes with someone.

“Our primary object is caregiving. Our theme is ‘Education, not medication,’” Gorman added. “We feel that if we can educate the caregivers, we can minimize the use of medication somewhat.”

For the Alzheimer’s Aid Society, fundraising is an important part of continuing their work. Arrigo noted that because of the business community’s strong support, the expenses of the dinner and the hall rental are covered, allowing the proceeds to go directly to the society.

“We should do well,” Arrigo said. “I’m very pleased.”

Tickets for “An Evening to Reminisce” are $40 per person. For information about the event, call (916) 448-7001.