Dear Friends & Family -

Bonnie Tolbert, my mother-in-law, suffers from Alzheimer’s.  She began to show signs over a dozen years ago.  I had the greatest pleasure in meeting her nine years ago while her memory was still good.  I will always be thankful that I was able know her in Oklahoma and hear stories during those first few years.  Unfortunately, the dreaded disease has progressed taking away most of who she was. Bonnie is under good care at a facility in Turlock and we have COVID-19 window visits with her often.

Sadly, Bonnie’s father also suffered from Alzheimer’s and it was one of her great fears that the same fate would fall to her.  Currently, there are no effective treatments to avoid or even materially slow the progress of Alzheimer’s which affects 5 million Americans.

To help raise awareness and funds for research and care, Virginia and I will participating in this year's Virtual Walk to End Alzheimer which will take place in our region Saturday 9/12.  We will be walking that morning to and from Stanislaus State University with lunch afterwards.  We know of some dear friends and family that are able to join but would love to have even more!  If you're available, please let me know and we'll walk it out for Team “Bonnie’s Buddies”.  If you're unavailable to join us in person, I have a couple personal and heartfelt request of all of you…

First, consider joining us in solidarity by doing your own Walk virtually that morning.  Awareness of the tremendous toll Alzheimer's takes on our families, our communities and our country is the top goal of this event.  Translating that awareness into action is the second which leads me to kindly ask for any type of monetary donation you can see your way to.  We understand these days are full of anxiety, both emotionally and financially but every little bit helps.  If you can, you may donate to me by going to my AA webpage at:  

http://act.alz.org/goto/BonniesBuddies_Geoff, or https://act.alz.org/site/TR?px=14762122&fr_id=13300&pg=personal

This is an awful disease that has taken so much from my family and I want to do my part in trying to stop it.  Thank you very much for reading this and for your consideration.

Best Regards,

Geoff