Alzheimer's Awareness Night at the Smokies Ballpark

Thank You for Taking a Swing at Alzheimer's during thefirst-ever Alzheimer's Awareness Night at the Smokies ballpark!

Nearly 6,000 Smokies fans showed their support for the the 22,000 people in East Tennessee living with Alzheimer's disease on Friday, August 14, 2009 when the Alzheimer's Association and Tennessee Smokies teamed up to host the first-ever Alzheimer's Awareness Night. Families, friends, co-workers, caregivers, and others showed their support by wearing PURPLE. Even the Smokies players put on "Purple with a Purpose!" While playing the Jacksonville Suns, the players wore PURPLE armbands.

More than 420 fans, supporters and volunteers – including 100 Pilot employees – bought their tickets through the Alzheimer's Association and claimed seats along the 3^rd base line in the Alzheimer’s Association block. For every time the Smokies struck out an opposing batter and for every Smokies home run hit,Blalock Companies donated to the Alzheimer's Association. Fans saw Blalock's name flash across the board and cheered for their donationtotaling $1,500!

Citizens National Bank brought out their "Money Grab" Cash Machine and three Memory Walk Team Captains had the chance to step inside and grab cash for their Memory Walk Teams. Connie Evans of Sterling House of Maryville, a Brookdale Senior Living community, along with Gladys of Wellington Place of Sevierville both scrambled for bills. Plus new Team Captain Sandra Rimmer also grabbed money to donate to the Alzheimer's Association.

Meanwhile, volunteers who sold the most gametickets were recognized on the field during the top of the 6th inning. Smoky Mountain Memory Walk Team Captains Laura Mitchell of Dollywood, Pam Morgan of Wellington Place of Sevierville and Bonnie Parton of HomeInstead all received vouchers to another Smokies game plus caps. Rhonda Watson with Knoxville Regional Memory Walk Team Covenant Health and Bonnie Parton were also recognized as "Home Run" Ticket sellers, after their names were pulled from a drawing of all volunteer ticket sellers.

Other Alzheimer's Awareness Night Highlights:

Pre-Game:

Champions for the Cause WBIR-TV’s Russell Biven and Beth Haynes threw out the 1^st Pitch!

Smokies announcer R.C. warmed up fans' brains with Alzheimer’s Trivia on field

The Smokies players were featured on the big screen with purple ribbons!

During the Game:

• Celebrity for the Cause and singer/songwriter James Rogers sang "God Bless America" & “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
• The Smokies’ Players sported PURPLE Armbands!
• The Top 3 Alzheimer’s Awareness Night Ticket sellerswere announced and recognized with 2 vouchers for FREE tickets to a future Smokies game – plus a cap!
• For every time the Smokies struck out an opposing batter and for every Smokies home run hit, Blalock Companies donated to the Alzheimer's Association! Fans cheered for their $1,500donation!
• The Alzheimer’s Association Information Table provided information about programs, services and how fans couldtake steps to End Alzheimer’s at upcoming Memory Walks!

Prizes!

• Supporters wearing “PURPLE WITH A PURPOSE” (significant purple) were eligible for Prizes awarded by the Smokies Rally Crew! Plus they received a 10% discount at the Smokies Clubhouse Shop.
• Fans who put on “Act NOW to End Alzheimer’s” stickers and completed a form wereentered ina raffle for FREE Smokies Tickets and caps!
• Registered Team Captains – including those who signed up at the game– entered their names for a chance to step inside the Citizens National Bank “Money Grab” Machine – and “grab” money for their Memory Walk Team Total to be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Any NEW Team Captain who filled out and submitted a Registration Form received 2 FREE tickets to a future Smokies game!

Questions? Call Kay Watson at865.544.6255 x225 or e-mail kay.watson@alz.org