GREEN MEADOWS – Jill Watson has grown an eight-person fundraiser into an annual community event that brings hundreds together to play tennis, pickleball, golf and other sports to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s research, care and support.
Watson’s event took place in June at Club Green Meadows in June and raised more than $30,000 in a single day. This brings the total for 2024 fundraising to $42,170. The event, held on or around the summer solstice each year, aims to use the longest day of the year to shed light on the darkness of Alzheimer’s. Participants enjoyed a variety of activities, including tennis, golf, pickleball, Zumba classes, spin classes and aqua fitness classes.
Watson has a personal connection to the fight against Alzheimer’s. “My ‘Why’ for doing what I do is my mom, Joan,” she said. “She passed away in November 2018 after living with this awful disease for over eight years. The emotions of seeing my mother ‘slip away’ still resonate with me today. I hope that one day we find a cure so no one has to live through watching their loved one slowly disappear before their eyes.”
“There are more than 126,000 Washington residents living with Alzheimer’s,” said Hudson Tyler, marketing and communications manager for the Alzheimer’s Association of Oregon & Southwest Washington. “We want more people to know about our 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 for free support, day or night, including access to support groups and education programs.”
