LIHUE — If the crowd at Saturday’s rummage sale to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s was any indication, Patricia Gonsalves’ goal of $2,500 was likely within reach. “You should have been here at 8 a.m.,” said Grace Delos Reyes
LIHUE — If the crowd at Saturday’s rummage sale to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s was any indication, Patricia Gonsalves’ goal of $2,500 was likely within reach.
“You should have been here at 8 a.m.,” said Grace Delos Reyes of the county’s Office of Elderly Affairs. “There was a crowd of people, and it’s still busy.”
JoAnne Davila of Kapaa was one of those in the thick of shoppers at the Lihue Neighborhood Center.
“I usually work on Saturdays,” Davila said. “This is one of those rare Saturdays when I don’t have to work, so I am going to sing Na Himeni concert in Hanapepe and shop at this sale before I get there. This is so good because there are so many important things to pick up.”
Some of those “important” items were shared, as the Kapaa shopper passed on a book to Amalia Abigania.
“It’s always blessed when you give,” Davila said. “Especially to young people, and especially if it’s books.”
Gonsalves, co-chairing the event with Rose Manago, said items for the rummage sale were donated from all over.
“Yard sales, garage sales and individuals,” Gonsalves said. “Rose and I even go to pick up the items. This year has been really good, both in donations and in shoppers. This is the best I’ve experienced in nine or 10 years.”
Proceeds from the sale benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s which takes place this Saturday. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and a walk around the 3.2-mile course begins at 8 a.m. at the Kukui Grove Center.
With an overall goal of $20,000, Gonsalves hopes the proceeds from the rummage sale help make a dent.
Hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, the mission of the organization is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
“There are between 6,000 to 10,000 people on Kauai alone who are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease,” said Gonsalves, one of the county’s Office of Elderly Affairs staff. “And then there are the caregivers. It costs a lot to care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s.”
