The Longest Day
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As you may know. June 21st represents the Summer Solstice, the longest daylight day of the year. To show support for those living with Alzheimer's and their families, the Alzheimer's Association has adopted the date for a new signature event, The Longest Day. The Longest Day symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers. Teams are encouraged to create their own experience as they fundraise and participate in an activity they love to honor someone facing the disease.

Over the course of this coming weekend, several Ozarks area families and businesses will be showing their support with activities including parking lot parties, rocking chair Ellen Marathons, bake sales, NuStepping and more. 

We encourage you to get involved with The Longest Day by taking the purple pledge with your clothing or social media, supporting one of The Longest Day teams or otherwise showing your support for our vision of "A World Without Alzheimer's".

Learn more about what local businesses and families are doing to raise awareness:  

Youngblood Auto Group to Raise Awareness and Funds

 On Friday, June 19th Youngblood Auto Group in  Springfield will be raising awareness and funds by  going purple! Be sure to stop in! 

Help Sonia's Angels Rock with Ellen

On Saturday, June 20th Sonia's Angels are asking YOU to join their team as they spend the day Rocking with Ellen.

They are combining two of Sonia's favorite things:
1) Rocking 
2) Watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Join the team if you're in the Springfield, MO area, or join virtually - gather friends, find a rocking chair and tune into the Ellen Show!! 

You can also give to Sonia's Angel's efforts by clicking here. 

 To learn more about Sonia and her daughter, Daisy, check out this story from KY3

The Longest Day Chair Massage Event 

New Beginning's Massage Therapy will be holding chair massages all day on June 21st at Billy Sims BBQ on South Campbell for Father's Day. Billy Sims is located at 2926 S. Campbell Avenue. This is a great gift for any dad! 

Groups NuStep to End Alzheimer's 

Americare campuses throughout the state are joining one of our national supporters and NuStepping to End Alzheimer's. NuStep, a cross trainer manufacturer, is a national partner for The Longest Day and will be donating a NuStep to the top teams nationally. Americare campus at Northpark Village in Ozark, Lakewood, Ravenwood and Spring Ridge in Springfield, Foxberry in Webb City and Silver Creek in Joplin have held, or will hold, NuStepping activities to support The Longest Day. Below are links to each team's page:

Northpark Village 

Lakewood Arbors - Lakewood is hosting a day of festivities on June 21st that will include food and lots of fun! ROOT BEER AND BRATS AND A NUSTEPPING CHALLENGE ALL DAY , FROM 7am-7pm  RAISING MONEY FOR A CURE. $5.00 DONATION GETS YOU A PLATE OF BBQ WITH ALL THE FIXINS!  BBQ IS FROM 12pm-2pm. Call (417) 881-1411 for more information. 

Ravewood Arbors

Spring Ridge

Foxberry

Silver Creek - Silver Creek raised over $300 from their NuStepping day and Rummage Sale on June 12th.  

Willard Groups Partner for Bake Sale and More

The Pendleton family, lead by the effort of college freshman, Ashley, are joining forces with the local support group this year to host a bigger and better bake sale than the one that raised over $600 in 2014. The team will be baking starting at midnight on Sunday morning and will sell the treats on Sunday at El Venero Mexican Restaurant on Miller Ave. from 11am-4pm. Be sure to stop by and get some of their tasty treats! 

You can also support The Willard Forget Me Nots here! 

Play Bridge and Help End Alzheimer's 

For the third straight year, the American Contract Bridge League is partnering with The Longest Day nationwide to help raise funds and awareness. The local chapter, Unit 101, or the Queen City Bridge Club, will be participating by holding three games on Monday, June 22nd. Games will take place at 9am, 1pm at 6pm at the center at 1675 E. Seminole, Suite F in the Spring Valley Business Center. For more information, call the Bridge Club at 417-881-3354. 

Bikers for Brains 

On June 6th, Greater Missouri Chapter staff member Lisa Thompson and her husband Louis embarked on a 500 mile motorcycle ride to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association and The Longest Day. Stopping at various places along the route, Lisa and Louis spurred conversations about Alzheimer's disease and how people can help in the fight. They are looking forward to growing their event to include more bikers in future years. If you have questions about the route, etc. contact Lisa at lthompson@alz.org. 

Support the Bikers for Brains efforts here!

Additional team efforts:

Team Gordon in Branson is participating in memory Gordon Olson. Says team captain, Carol Olson "we'll be on the water all day with a Sunset ceremony later. There will be a swim competition, ski competition, and 'flyboard' experience. Our team is honoring/remembering my late husband Gordon who was quite the adventurer & a real boater and skier, so this is perfect. His birthday is also June 21st, so especially meaningful this year."

Cox Senior Health is walking throughout the day as they honor clients. 

Alzheimer's Association staff member Marie Murphree has taken a unique approach to The Longest Day. Working with local antique stores she will be Antiquing for Alzheimer's buy refurbishing items to resell with proceeds going to her team. Local antique shops will also have donation canisters during the day. 

Fellow staff member, Betty Thomas Johnson, launched David Johnson's Reading Club in memory of her late husband David who loved to read. 

Jody's Team - Fighting with Flowers will be honoring Jody, a mother who loves to plant flowers. The team has hosted a few activities leading up to the event and has plans for more awareness building efforts. 

Heading back to the water theme, The Forget Me Nots have team members throughout the United States partaking in water activities over the course of the day. From car washing, to floating, to surfing, there will be team members out all day! 

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