By AMY DAVIS
The Progress
The day to fight is the day with the most light, according the Alzheimer Association.
This is the very reason why the association chose June 21, the summer solstice, as a day for worldwide fundraising for the Alzheimer community.
To do their part, Mesa Valley Estates held a silent auction on Wednesday, June 29. The assisted living facility, which includes a Memory Care center, was able to raise over $2,400 in that 2-hour time span for the Alzheimer Association.
“We geared our auction to coincide with June 21, but we needed a little more time to gather donations from the community,” explains Liz Beliaj, Life Enrichment director at Mesa Valley Estates.
Beliaj has been with the facility since its opening in November 2019.
“Mesquite is always so kind and generous and willing to help out,” she said.
Over 20 Mesquite businesses and community members donated to the silent auction. Some of the items included in the auction were: gift certificates to Gregory’s, golf packages, tickets to Tuacahn, Buffet gift certificates, canvas art, jewelry, metal art, donations from local eateries and 4th of July gear. There were also lots of homemade quilts, and the like, donated by Mesa Valley Estates Assisted Living Residents. All in all, 111 items were donated to the silent auction.
Beliaj was so proud of the residents who donated so many of their own handmade items.
“We do everything we can to keep our residents involved in and a part of the community,” she said. “We want to make sure they keep a sense of purpose. Purpose is huge. Everyone wants to feel like they matter.”
Beliaj said that she tries to provide meaning and purpose with each of the activities as well as community outreach.
“We pick different organizations like the police department or the fire department or the animal shelter,” she said, “and then we brainstorm ideas and think of ways we can help them. It gives (our residents) a way to pitch in and be part of the community.”
Of course, it was not a hard sell to get the Mesa Valley residents involved with a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s. “Our residents have really stepped up and wanted to help,” Beliaj said. “They donated cross stitching, jean quilts, crocheted blankets and a whole host of other handmade items.”
Barbara McCall, an assisted living resident (AL) donated cross stitching and quilts to the event. “Each cross stitch takes me 2 months to complete,” McCall said. “I have kept them for a while, and I don’t need them. I thought I would try this auction out and see if I could put them to good use.”
As McCall spoke, another woman approached saying, “Barbara! I just noticed that half of the items on display are yours and they are all so beautiful!”
“I could pack this whole place full with all of the “goop” I have made,” said AL resident Carolyn Ogden.
“Goop” is the catch-all word she has claimed is the perfect description for all of her handmade items.
“I made the dish-rags and booties and scrubbies, that’s all,” she adds.
Ogden said that she doesn’t quite think her items are as cool as handmade quilts. “But people use dish rags and scrubbies and maybe they could be of use,” she said.
Ogden instructed me that I should go grab up all of the items from Hole Foods bakery. She said she would do it herself, but she has a horrible food allergy. With a twinkle in her eye she said, “When I eat those goodies, I break out in fat all over the place!”
The money raised will be passed directly to the Southwest Chapter for Alzheimer’s awareness.
The memory care facility at Mesa Valley Estates is called “Reflections.” There are currently 16 residents in the Reflections Wing which brings the facility to a total of 78 apartments.
Mesa Valley Estates is part of Mission Senior Living based out of Carson City. They have 8 or 9 facilities right now with the majority being in Nevada.
The company provides long term senior living for people who are not comfortable being home by themselves or where 24-hour care is needed. Residents receive three meals a day and they have kitchenettes in their rooms so they can keep whatever foods they want in their full refrigerator.
The facility also provides transportation to doctors appointments and activities throughout the week. Residents go on trips to the movies, shopping, restaurants, museums, and to play Bingo and slots twice a month.
