Staff Report

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Candles of Care, an annual National Commemorative Candle Lighting ceremony sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) to help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses and highlights the availability of community resources, is the inspiration for an exhibit at ArtWalk Friday evening.

The exhibit artworks were created by Alzheimer’s and dementia residents of the John McClure Snook Regional Center, a Mercy Medical memory care community. Nancy Raia, arts bridging creativity director of the Eastern Shore Art Center, prepared residents for the event by having a creative workshop. With watercolors and crayons, Raia helped residents draw candles.

In recognition of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Gulf Coast residents came together on Nov. 8, at the John McClure Snook Regional Center joining hundreds of organizations from coast to coast lighting “candles of care” to remember and honor those affected most by this disease.