Help make Christmas better for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in East Tennessee during the holiday season by shopping for "Purple Santa.”
Lexus of Knoxville and Alzheimer’s Tennessee are teaming up with 93.1 WNOX and WATE 6 to make sure Purple Santa and his purple elves can visit area seniors and deliver gifts, especially to those who suffer from memory loss and may not have local family support. Many of these seniors have no family or few visitors. Purple Santa provides bright spot in their day.
Donate Gifts:
Lexus of Knoxville is collecting suggested donations from the Alzheimer's Tennessee "Wish List" for individuals touched by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The public is invited to bring new items like bird feeders, CDs/DVDs featuring older music/movies, blankets, scarves, robes, and jumbo-sized puzzles and coloring books to the dealership and put them under the purple “Memory Tree”.
Download the complete list of items that may also help you shop for loved ones.
WHEN: Donate November 15 through Friday, Dec. 13
WHERE: Lexus of Knoxville, 10315 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, TN
Download Holiday “Wish List” for Individuals Living with Alzheimer’s or dementia
You can also drop off gifts at the following locations during business hours:
Alzheimer's Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
WATE, 1306 N. Broadway, Knoxville
Casual Pint - Bearden, 234 Brookview Centre Way, Knoxville
Casual Pint - Fountain City, 4842 Harvest Mill Way, Knoxville
“It will warm all of our hearts in the most meaningful way to give the gift of joy to some of our most fragile loved ones,” Alzheimer’s Tennessee Executive President/CEO Janice Wade-Whitehead said. “Nobody should have to face Alzheimer’s or dementia alone, especially during the holidays.”
Volunteer to Pack Gifts & Make Deliveries:
Alzheimer’s Tennessee will coordinate visits by the purple Santa and his volunteer purple elves who will help deliver gifts to individuals living in facilities in Knox, Blount, Anderson, Sevier Counties and Loudon counties.
Participants can also contribute to Alzheimer’s Tennessee’s award-winning senior adult day service program and its participants. The program called Howard Circle of Friends gives family caregivers the opportunity to take a break or go to work while their loved ones enjoy fun, therapeutic activities in a safe environment. The “Wish List” for Alzheimer’s Tennessee’s Adult Day Center is also featured here.
If you or a group would like to help pack gifts and/or make deliveries, please contact amanda.armstrong@TNalz.org
Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. would like to thank Lexus of Knoxville, 93.1 WNOX and WATE 6 for partnering to make this effort happen. With their continued support, Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. ensures 100% of the donations support Tennesseans. Alzheimer’s Tennessee, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has been in the community for more than 30 years with the mission to serve those facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote brain health through education, and champion global research, prevention and treatment efforts. For more information visit www.alzTennesssee.org or call 865.544.6288.