Tammy lost her beloved father – who suffered from dementia – last December 30, on his 77th birthday. “My Dad was absolutely my whole world and a true gem to everyone who knew him; he was a very hard worker who took care of his family.”
On June 21, the Cozad community celebrated the summer solstice and raised $2,245 for Alzheimer’s awareness.
“It makes my heart so happy that this event was successful and that so many people participated,” said Higgins. “I’m overjoyed, and especially appreciate the organizations and community members who lined the streets to support the walkers and runners.”
Activities included a 5k fun run, 1 mile walk, and a street festival that featured games, food, music from local DJ Bobbi Devine, and activities from multiple organizations on closed-off streets in Cozad. Waypoint Bank – Cozad generously donated a Blackstone griddle, which was raffled off and raised $440 to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
“The reality is the awareness of this devastating disease truly needs to be known including how some people and their families have to live,” Tammy explains. “It’s a HUGE impact on all, from finances to family including understanding the level of care for the stage they are in with dementia or Alzheimer’s.”
Tammy shares. “In March, my sister Taunya and I decided to bike 200 miles for an Alzheimer’s Awareness fundraiser. Soon afterwards, I heard about The Longest Day and knew I wanted to do another Alzheimer’s fundraising event. I then learned that a gal from a nursing home here wanted to plan an event for The Longest Day to raise awareness, so we brainstormed and created The Longest Day community event.
Tammy, a loan clerk for Waypoint Bank – Cozad, and Kiley Goff of Emerald Nursing are grateful to all the community members who helped make this fun evening possible.
Next year, the pair hopes to plan an even larger event called The Longest Run on the Longest Day across Dawson County.
*The photo features Waypoint Bank – Cozad employees Debra McArdle (left) and Tammy Higgins (right).