Parkinson’s awareness and support blossoms in Slave Lake
Parkinson’s Society of Alberta CEO Ray Williams and his wife Judy applauded Irene Yarosh, right, for her enthusiasm in hosting the Parkinson’s Awareness Brunch and spreading the word on the debilitating disease.
$10,500 response to be exact, says host as she applauds community.
M.Partington-Richer
“Overwhelming.” That, in a word, is how Irene Yarosh describes the way Slave Lake and area residents responded to the first ever Parkinson’s Awareness Brunch last week.
All tolled, the event raised $10,500 for the Parkinson’s Society of Alberta, and the event’s host says none of that would have been possible without huge amounts of community support.
‘Urmie’ Sheldon from Kinuso kept the crowd laughing with her antics and off-side humour.
“I guess it just goes to show what can happen when the community gets behind an event like this.”
No fewer than 50 businesses and individuals donated cash, auction items or expertise to make the event the resounding success it was. And Yarosh says she was totally blown away by the community response – in donations and the enthusiastic bidding in both live and silent auctions.
More than 180 individuals from Slave Lake, Kinuso and even Edmonton bought tickets and took part in the first ever brunch last Sunday. And collectively, they ponied up to help raise the $10,500 for Parkinson’s research at the event.
She also praised volunteer auctioneer Ken Giblin for his crowd-pleasing and money-raising expertise, and the efforts of comedian ‘Urmie’ Sheldon, singer Juliana Hunt, pianist Debbie Strickland and bagpiper Ross McDonald for their roles in entertaining the crowd that day.
Dr. Theresa O’Keefe provided the crowd with a few insights into the disease that attacks individuals of all ages, and progresses at a different rate in each of its victims.
The provincial Parkinson’s Society’s executive officer Ray Williams of Edmonton emceed the event, and took time to praise Yarosh for her enthusiasm and drive in helping her community learn more about the neuro-degenerative disease.
Solo singer Julianna Hunt
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