Brandon Tokunaga knows a thing or two about families suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. When Brandon’s beloved father, Nelson Tokunaga, died at just 60 years old of early onset Alzheimer’s, Brandon vowed he would share what he discovered with others to ease their pain and offer support and hope where none seems possible. And because Brandon is a talented painter, he chose art as the best vehicle (for him) through which to raise awareness, offer support, and raise money to work toward a cure.
“I started selling my own art and giving the money to the Alzheimer’s Association,” he said. “Then I asked a handful of artist friends if they’d be willing to donate some of their pieces … We held our first show at a local restaurant, Sally Loo’s in SLO, but we were bursting at the seams so we moved it to The Village at Sydney Creek [a local Memory Care Community] … and the rest is history.”
Now there is food, wine, music, a silent auction, and of course the art. “I’ve been so lucky to have such talented artists open their hearts and donate their hard work,” said Brandon. And, as always, attendees will also be treated to the astonishing artwork done by Sydney Creek residents. One hundred percent of the proceeds from all of the sales go directly to our local Alzheimer’s Association. “As long as there is Alzheimer’s Disease, this show will be there to raise money to fight it,” said Brandon.
“We are grateful to The Villages of San Luis Obispo,” said the Alzheimer’s Association’s Laura DeLoye. “They go above and beyond every year to put on what has become a very popular event!”
More than six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s Disease. One in every three seniors dies with it or another dementia. The toll it takes on those afflicted, and on those who care for them, is heavy and high. This year marks the ninth year of Forget Me Not: Art Against Alzheimer’s and will be held at The Village at The Oaks, 61 Broad Street in San Luis Obispo, on Friday August 26, 2021, from 5 – 8 pm. This is an outdoor event and all are welcome. For more information, please call Laura DeLoye or Brandon Tokunaga.