Alzheimer's Association, Orange County to Honor Five Special Advocates at 2015 'Creating Hope' Gala

    IRVINE, CA, February 05, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The "Creating Hope" gala, the signature fundraiser of Alzheimer's Association, Orange County (AAOC), will be held Saturday, March 28, with dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions at the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. Tickets and sponsorships are now available for the event, sponsored by TMS, Inc. and themed "Rustic Elegance." Five inspiring Orange County community members will be honored for their dedication and support of AAOC and its vision of a world without Alzheimer's - Harry Crowell, Michelle Egerer, Bill Hogan, Carol Manning, and Paul Wexler.

"Our annual gala gives families, friends and supporters the opportunity to work together in a celebratory atmosphere to bring an end to this devastating disease," said Jim McAleer, president and CEO of AAOC. "The incidence of this disease is increasing faster than we can keep up. With community support at events such as our Creating Hope gala, we can refuse to let Alzheimer's be the legacy we leave behind for the next generation."

With 84,000 people in Orange County alone suffering from Alzheimer's, the disease is the fourth leading cause of death. AAOC, one of Southern California's premier nonprofits, is the primary resource for families battling Alzheimer's with free services, including a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, care consultation, and educational materials. Gala proceeds will go toward research and will enable AAOC to continue to provide no-cost programs and services to families.

Creating Hope 2015 Gala Honorees include:
• Harry Crowell, a home builder, insurance industry veteran and founding member of the Insco Dico Group, has supported the fight against Alzheimer's for more than 10 years. The founder of Vista Gardens, a memory care facility in San Diego, Crowell has been a Walk to End Alzheimer's committee member, landlord of AAOC's building, and is currently a board member. Crowell lost his mother-in-law to Alzheimer's in XXX.
• Michelle Egerer, senior vice president at Silverado Community Operations, has more than 30 years in the healthcare industry and is dedicated to caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Currently serving as chair of the AAOC board of directors, Egerer has close ties to the disease - when her grandmother suffered from dementia, her mother served as primary caregiver.
• Bill Hogan, a Korean War veteran and father of four, has packed a lot of life into his 83 years. When his wife of 54 years, Marge, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Hogan dedicated his life to learning everything he could about the disease, to give her the best possible care. After she passed in 2013, he remained involved with the Alzheimer's Association as a volunteer, donor and friend to others dealing with this difficult diagnosis.
• Carol Manning, President, CEO and CFO of TMS, Inc., is an avid businesswoman and active community benefactor. Manning's commitment to enhancing the lives of others is evident in both her personal and professional lives. She is a philanthropist devoted to assisting less fortunate people of all ages and abilities.
• Paul Wexler, a veteran of business development and strategic planning with General Electric, GTE and Toshiba, is a member of the national board of the Alzheimer's Association and former chair of the Orange

County chapter. Wexler has spent the last 14 years as an integral voice in the direction of the organization. He lost his father to Alzheimer's in 1984.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as they mingle and peruse a silent auction. During dinner, attendees will bid on luxurious items in the live auction, including a jeweled cuff valued at $10,000 designed specifically by Sloane Street for AAOC. The evening will conclude with live music provided by The Chick Band, a Las Vegas cover band with a personal connection to Alzheimer's.
Sponsorship, underwriting and auction opportunities are still available. To date, in addition to the title sponsor TMS, Inc., gala sponsors include: Irvine Cottages, Vista Gardens, Gateway One Lending Company, Sloane Street, Silverado Senior Living, The Frome Family Foundation, and Caring Companions At Home. Underwriters include: First American Trust.

Individual tickets start at $500; table sponsorship opportunities range from $5,000 to $10,000. To purchase gala tickets, donate a silent auction item or become a sponsor, please visit http://alz.org/oc or call (949) 955-9000.

About Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter

The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Since 1982, Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter has been providing programs and services, free of charge, to Orange County residents with Alzheimer's and related disorders, their families, caregivers, and the community. Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative illness that weakens the memory and other cognitive and emotional functions. For more information, call the 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, or visit http://www.alz.org/oc.

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