MOSES LAKE — Losing your grip on memories is not only frustrating for Alzheimer’s Disease patients and their families, but it’s something that impacts the community in multiple ways. On July 18, the Columbia Basin community will have a chance to come together to support the fight against the condition by participating in the Purple Party, a precursor to the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s set for Sept. 14. 

“The Purple Party is a fundraising and team building event to prepare for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” organizer Karisti Cox said. “It’s kind of a pre-party before the party, if you will.” 

This year is the Purple Party’s tenth event and Cox said she’s anticipating 170 to 200 people attending the event, based on last year’s 150 to 170 attendance and other, similar events this year seeing increased participation from the community. Porterhouse Steakhouse in Moses Lake will be the venue for the event and will provide catering. The free-to-attend event gives people a chance to plan their teams for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in September, but also a chance to enjoy time together while raising awareness in the fight against Alzheimer’s. 

Cox, who always seems to have a bit of purple on, said wearing the color is encouraged for the event because it’s the color for Alzheimer’s Disease awareness.

Last year’s menu included pulled pork and other mouth-watering goodies, Cox said, but she hadn’t gotten a confirmed menu as of Tuesday afternoon for this year’s event. 

“It’s noteworthy that the Russells, who own the Porterhouse; their grandmother passed away from Alzheimer’s, and that’s a big part of their reasoning for having the event there,” Cox said.

Music for the event will be provided by Dale Roth, a local DJ who has taken care of entertainment for the event before, Cox said. His playlists often include 1980s, 90s and early 2000s rock and country. 

Roth said he felt it was important to do things in the community that support people. Providing music for this and other charity events brings the community together and supports those impacted by issues like Alzheimer's, cancer or ALS.

"It's like cancer. We've all affected one way or the other, whether it's a parent or loved one, and (that) just means a lot to me. I've got family members and friends that have dealt with Alzheimer's and have lost loved ones because of it," Roth said.

Cox said the Purple Party also serves as a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research. As such, it will include a raffle for a fire table, a Black Stone grill and a rodeo basket, among other items. Door prizes will also be given out. 

“The door prizes are commemorative, handmade Alzheimer’s boots, and we started this last year,” she said.

Cox said she makes the boots herself, makes them purple, and decorates each one differently. Businesses that won the boots last year still have theirs displayed in their business offices. That’s encouraging, she said, because they’re there as a symbol to help people maintain awareness throughout the year. 

The event is geared more toward adults, Cox said. Cocktails will be served, so attendees should be aware of that. It’s also a bonus business after-hours event for the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said the chamber was approached by organizers a long time ago and has been involved in the event since its inaugural outing. The chamber is happy to support the Purple Party because it raises awareness of the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease and is a way for businesses and their customers to connect in a positive way.

“It engages the community,” Doran-Martinez said. “And so we were approached by the Purple Party organizers years ago to do it, and this is a way for us to engage the community and to engage business people with average citizens in an effort to raise awareness for this cause.” 

The Purple Party is one of several events Cox and her fellow organizers hold throughout the year to raise awareness and help fund research to fight Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. Other events include a butterfly release, Colors of Hope, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and a golf tournament. Keeping those events going to support research and awareness is important and something Cox said she’s dedicated to.

“I mean, if you want to be involved in Alzheimer’s and make a difference, I will keep you busy,” Cox said. 

R. Hans "Rob" Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com. 

Alzheimer’s fighting events

Purple Party
July 18, 2024
5-7 p.m.
Porterhouse Steakhouse
217 N. Elder St.
Moses Lake, WA 98837

Dude! Where’s my CART?!
Golf Tournament
September 28, 2024Sage Hills Golf Club
10400 Sagehill Road SE
Warden, WA 98857

Colors of Hope
Sept. 13, 2024
McCosh Park Amphitheatre
401 W. Fourth Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837

Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Sept. 14, 2024
Registration: 9 a.m.
Ceremony: 10 a.m.
Walk: 10:30 a.m.
McCosh Park Amphitheatre
401 W. Fourth Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837
https://bit.ly/PRPLWLK

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time and place
• Trouble understanding visual images
• Trouble understanding spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing

SOURCE: Alzheimer’s Association

    Many of the people who participate in the Purple Party or one of the other dementia awareness events in the area have lost someone or have a loved one who is facing Alzheimer’s Disease or a similar condition. The hope of the events is that people are more aware of the disease and that money raised to support research will eventually find better treatments and a cure.
  

    Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants near the starting point for the event. The annual walk raises money to fight the mind-impairing condition and helps bring people together who can support families facing dementia and Alzheimer’s.