By Sarah Opdahl

You will see a host of purple around town in the coming weeks and it is for a good reason—Town officials and businesses are all happy to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association through Paint the Town Purple. New Fairfield joins a handful of other Connecticut municipalities in showing support through a town-wide event that runs from September 6 through 22. The event kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with First Selectman Ms. Melissa Lindsay at Town Hall, tomorrow, Friday, September 6, 10:00 a.m.

Beyond the ribbon-cutting ceremony, events will run throughout the two-week span, including:

Friday, September 6, 4:30 pm, Purple Happy Hour at The Cue Restaurant

Saturday, September 7, 12-5pm, Alzheimer’s Exhibit at NF Town Fair Day (rain date Sunday, September 8)

Tuesday, September 10, 6:00 pm,  Communicating Effectively, an educational program at New Fairfield Free Public Library

Wednesday, September 11, 9:30 am, Storytime at Bright Beginnings

Wednesday, September 11, 11:00 am, Storytime at First Step PreSchool

Wednesday, September 11, 1:30 pm, 10 Warning Signs, an educational program at New Fairfield Free Public Library

Friday, September 20, 4:30 pm Happy Hour at Rein Osteria—sip a Purple Rein

Sunday, September 22, the Western CT Walk to End Alzheimer’s at NFHS Rebels Stadium, the event Opens at 9:00 am, Promise Garden Ceremony at 10:00 am, Walk at 10:30 am.

Local businesses are thrilled to take part and support the cause. Joe McClusky, owner of Rein Osteria, says, “Rein is participating by getting the word out via internal display, social media promotions, and word of mouth to promote this important event. Last year, New Fairfield’s generosity raised over $500 for the Alzheimer’s Association in one happy hour for the cause. We are looking to crush that this year.”

There are six Walks to End Alzheimer’s statewide: Western CT Walk, which is being held for the first time in New Fairfield at Rebels Stadium, Eastern CT (Ocean Beach Park, New London), Greater New Haven (Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven), Central CT (Rockwell Park, Bristol), Fairfield County (Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk), and Greater Hartford (Rentschler Field, East Hartford). More information can be found at act.alz.org/Connecticut.

Interested in walking? All of your questions are answered at the website above, from registration requirements and whether strollers are allowed to t-shirt information and what happens in inclement weather. “Your engagement can significantly impact the fight against this challenging disease,” said the Alzheimer’s Association’s Vice President of Development Laura Hoffman. She went on to say, “Participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is an impactful way to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and raise crucial awareness. You can join in as an individual, team up with others, or even create your own team. There are also numerous ways to contribute, such as spreading the word through social media, email, and personal networks. Additionally, we offer volunteer opportunities on the day of the walk and through year-round committee involvement.”

Hoffman and all involved in the community are “excited to be in an era of treatment. For the first time in history, FDA-approved medications are now on the market for those in the early stages, which can change the course of the disease and give families more time.” She went on to say, “Leqembi and Kisunla are two drugs being prescribed now here in Connecticut, and people are being monitored to make sure they are safe and effective.  And it is not just drugs attacking the amyloid in the brain; there are other therapies, including lifestyle interventions, that are in trials as well.”

New Fairfield resident and Alzheimer’s Association volunteer Kristine Dahl is happy to coordinate with Town leaders and business on the events. Serving on the executive leadership team for the Western CT Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Dahl is committed to promoting awareness and raising funds. She explained, “the campaign is a very personal cause for me. My grandmother, Isabel Cronin, suffered for 16 years from this devastating disease. My goal is for a cure and a world without Alzheimer’s. This year I will walk again in memory of my Nana Isabel.” Dahl also said she will walk in memory of “my d ear friend Adrienne Edelstein, who was my role model for getting involved in the Alzheimer’s Association. She was a tireless advocate in the NYC chapter raising thousands of dollars in her own Walks to End Alzheimer’s, advocating in Washington DC for new drug therapies, and serving on the Board of Directors for the New York City office.” Dahl works closely with a committee of local residents to bring Paint the Town to fruition and would like to thank them for volunteering to decorate, recruit, and fundraise. “Without them, this would not happen. They include Kristen Buffington, Karen Cronin, Kim Cronin, Trish McFadden, and Dana Zegarelli,” she said.

Hoffman and Dahl want you to know that the Alzheimer’s Association is available 24/7 through the multilingual helpline support (1-800-272-3900) that handles every call with the utmost care. The helpline offers a range of support services, including education, emotional support, guidance and resources, care planning assistance, and referrals to local agencies and professionals. The association also offers educational programming, care consultations, safe return training, support groups, and educational programs for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families. All of these resources are provided complimentary to the community thanks to the funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.