Houston Chronicle: Art auction raises money to fight Alzheimer’s
Belmont Village Hunters Creek held its 4th Annual April Showers Umbrella Art Exhibit and Auction at 7667 Woodway Drive, Houston. The event benefited the Alzheimer’s Association and kicked off April 10. Houstonians artfully decorated umbrellas that were auctioned off to help make a difference in the lives of those affected by the devastating disease.
Umbrellas or “artbrellas” were adorned by Belmont Villages residents and staff, Painting with a Twist and Houston Ballet Costume Designer Laura Lynch. Houston Texans rookie Bryce Jones decorated an umbrella that featured the signatures of some of his teammates, and members of the Houston Dynamo and Dash teams contributed ones as well. The KHOU news team and KPRC meteorologists Britta Merwin and Frank Billingsley also offered their artistic efforts.
The auction closed on April 20, raising more than $1,500 with all of the proceeds benefiting the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, which helps support family programs and research that make a difference in the lives of those affected by the disease.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.7 million Americans of varying ages live with Alzheimer’s disease, and by 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million. Despite some breakthroughs in the understanding of the disease, it remains a difficult diagnosis that more and more families must face. The goal of the event was to help alleviate some of that loss by joining with the community to raise awareness and funds for research and family programs, made available through local resources like the Alzheimer’s Association.
Belmont Village has three senior living communities in the Houston area. The Hunters Creek location offers assisted living and memory care options.