West Roxbury Resident to Run Lemonade Stand for Alzheimer's Awareness

• Photo (L-R): Marisa Stanewick and her mother, Sandra Stanewick

WEST ROXBURY, MA - A West Roxbury local will run a lemonade stand to raise money and awareness for "The Longest Day," an event held by the Alzheimer's Association.

Marisa Stanewick is rallying her group, Team Sandy, behind "The Longest Day," during which teams from across the nation participate in activities from sunrise to sunset to honor someone living with Alzheimer's.

Stanewick chose to participate in the event to honor not only her mother, who has been living with Alzheimer's for four years, but also to celebrate her father, who lives every day as her primary caregiver.

"My father is truly amazing. He is so dedicated to her happiness and overall well-being," Stanewick said in a press release. "Sometimes I think about how difficult it is for me to watch my mother go through cognitive changes and memory loss, but then I think about how difficult and frightening it must be for her. I'm in awe of her bravery and strength."

Stanewick and her children will run the lemonade stand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 193 Beech St. in Roslindale.

To donate to Stanewick's efforts, visit her team website. Funds raised will benefit the research, programs and public awareness efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts.

"The Longest Day asks families to do what brings out their passion in remembering and honoring those bravely facing Alzheimer's disease," Jim Wessler, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, said in the release. "It is this same passion that unites our families, staff members, advocates and volunteers as we collectively work towards achieving our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease."

To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, click here.

Photo submitted