Quilt raffle set for Alzheimer's group

Even though there isn't an Alzheimer's walk this year, there are still the customary quilt raffle and memorial garden dedication planned for September.

The Valley Quilters made this year's quilt, which has an outdoors theme. The idea for the quilt actually came from a man who repeatedly told organizers that he'd support the raffle sales if they had a quilt with ducks on it.

Francine Strother created a wall hanging with a duck theme, and true to his word, A.J. Holborn of Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union gave a large donation to the project on the day the tickets went on sale right outside his office. "Next year, let's have Labrador retrievers," he said jokingly.

The drawing for the quilt and the wall hanging will be at the Alzheimer's Memory Tree dedication at the Colony Church Museum on the Alaska State Fairgrounds on Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. The event is held to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.

All money raised from the quilt raffle stays in Alaska and supports the services of the Alzheimer's Agency of Alaska. Volunteers will be selling tickets at various locations. Tickets can also be purchased through Dixi Amidon at the Mat-Su Valley Alzheimer's Resource Agency in the Trinity Barn on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

For more information, interested people can call the Alzheimer's Resource Agency at 892-6722.