Walking with Purpose, Passion
Les Barros is a tall man with a wide and ready smile. He loves children, dogs and music, and although he can sing just a few words to favorite songs, he does like to move to the music. He is also the kind of man who will quickly offer up a hug, even if you're a stranger.
These days, almost everyone is a stranger to Les, even his grandchildren and children and, occasionally, his wife, Char Branson-Barros. This is the heartbreaking reality for a family whose beloved member has a form of Alzheimer's disease.
Rather than retreat, Char is rallying big support for the place where Les now spends his days, at the NorthBay Adult Day Center. Here, he has found new friends in a safe environment that keeps him socially engaged. "I'm so grateful for the program," she says, and that's why she is ramping up a fund raising effort that will benefit the center through the Walk to End Alzheimer's, to be held on October 24, 2015. "I have no fear asking people for money to support this. I am doing everything I can every single day to get the word out about this event." She is using her Facebook account to help in her efforts, among other things.
It's paying off. She has already become the top fundraiser for NorthBay's team in this year's campaign. Her goal to beat her tally in last year's walk - $3,500 -- has already been met.
Les was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia seven years ago, Char explains, just a year after she retired. In the years since, she has taken on more and more caregiving responsibilities, and eventually turned to respite services, first in Vallejo, where the couple lives, and now to NorthBay Adult Day Center, the county's only full-time adult day center, open 12 hours a day, five days a week.
"Les goes up to the center every day, and loves it. There are a few of us who car-pool from Vallejo up to Vacaville," she explains. "I've made friends through this and we are like a support group. I love NorthBay, and the staff at the center. They're all just so nice, and I never have to worry; they call me if there is any question about anything."
Char has encouraged a large group of friends and family to walk with her at the event, under the umbrella of Team NorthBay, and she says she does it because of the Alzheimer's Association's promise to return 50 percent of everything raised up to $4,999, and 60 percent funds over $5,000, right back to the NorthBay Adult Day Center.
The Day Center has support coming from many areas, says Sandy Perez, program manager. There are four teams walking for NorthBay in this year's event, and staff is holding a raffle for a Coach purse to augment fund raising efforts. Tickets for the purse are $5 each, or five for $20, and they are available at the Day Center or by calling 624-7970. The winning ticket will be pulled on Oct. 16.
Want to join one of NorthBay's four teams? There's still time to sign up. The Walk to End Alzheimer's event is Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Suisun Waterfront. Registration opens at 8 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m. Visitors and walkers stopping by the NorthBay area will see a Kid's Zone complete with a jump house, clown and face painter, as well as crafts and healthy snacks.
