Vets home employee camps out to spread word on fund raiser

Eva Cannon of Jackson spent her day off camping -- on the front lawn of the Missouri Veterans Home.

The veterans home employee arrived at 7 a.m. Wednesday with her canopy, blanket, pillow and a few other necessities to set up camp until 7 a.m. today.

The maintenance crew helped secure the banner in front of the canopy to explain to passers-by her purpose, which is to raise awareness of the Memory Walk at Capaha Park on Sept. 17. The walk raises money for the Alzheimer's Association, which provides services and support for those suffering from a disease that attacks the brain, resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behavior.

"There have been a lot of people looking," Cannon said. "Some family members have stopped by on their way out. They say I'm a little crazy to be out here."

That's because temperatures in the lower 90s and high humidity Wednesday sent the heat index past 100.

The veterans home staff provided lemonade, ice cream and a sun umbrella in case her canopy blew down. By midday Wednesday she'd collected $85 in donations and another $30 from the sale of purple wristbands.

Cannon has no relatives with the disease but works in the veterans home's Alzheimer's unit. She is signed up for the Memory Walk, on the veterans home A-team.

"Eva has a caring heart," said veterans home administrator Jan Rau. "The Alzheimer's patients love her. She's concerned about the disease itself and sees the tremendous toll it takes on relatives."

This year's goal for the Memory Walk is $58,000. For more information, visit www.alzstl.org or call 332-8170.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133