Juvenile Court clerks are wearing an orange ribbon, made by Lead Clerk Linda Lafleur, to honor the late University of Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt. The legendary coach died recently due to complications with Early Onset Dementia Alzheimer's type.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Criminal court staffers along with Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean
photo by Dennis Norwood
Circuit court employees are pictured on the courthouse steps. Circuit Court Clerk Larry Henry was unable to attend.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Register of Deeds Pam Hurst is shown with her office staff.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Juvenile Court Clerk Gary Behler along with his deputy clerks.
photo by Dennis Norwood
From left, Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean, Register of Deeds Pan Hurst, and Juvenile Court Clerk Gary Behler
photo by Dennis Norwood
Alzheimer’s disease impacts Tennessee families in every county from West to East, and now Court Clerks across the state, including Hamilton County’s Court Clerks Vince Dean (Criminal Court), Larry Henry (Circuit Court) and Gary D. Behler (Juvenile Court) are showing their support by participating in the second annual statewide “Purple Out Day” benefitting Alzheimer’s Tennessee, a not-for-profit organization.
Register of Deeds Pam Hurst and her clerks are participating, as well, this year.
As an extra tribute to the late Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt, Juvenile Court employees are wearing a special orange ribbon on their shirts. Coach Summitt, who died recently at the age of 62, was a victim of Early Onset Dementia, Alzheimer's type. The ribbons were made by Lead Court Clerk Linda Lafleur. The staff also wore them on the day of Coach Summitt's funeral, as well as the day of her public memorial service.
“Seeing our state turn purple to show support to the hundreds of thousands of families who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is incredibly powerful," said Blount County’s Circuit Court Clerk Tom Hatcher, who is coordinating the statewide event. "I know many understand what it’s like to slowly lose a loved one to this brain disease that steals both memories and dignity. I hope our loved ones will inspire all of us to come together again and make this month’s Purple Out Day even more memorable.”
From Memphis to Mountain City, as many as 205 Court Clerks and their deputy clerks were planning to wear purple and participate in “Purple Out Day” on Friday to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and related dementias as well as raise funds to support the work of Alzheimer’s Tennessee. According to Mr. Behler, here in Hamilton County approximately 65 employees participated.
The state’s Registers of Deeds are officially on board this year for the event that started turning courthouses, justice centers, businesses and communities purple last year. The elected court clerks have already made a personal donation of at least $50 and has invited each of their deputy clerks in their offices to make a $5 donation.
“If the public would like to pitch in, and other court clerks in the state make similar donations, together we can raise more than the $25,000 we contributed last year to help Alzheimer’s Tennessee continue to expand its services and provide invaluable support to all families across the state,” said Mr. Behler. “Everyone is encouraged to wear purple on Friday, July 29, 2016 for our state’s ‘Purple Out Day’”.
Here's how to help “Purple Out” the state:
1. Start by wearing purple on Friday, July 29.
Be sure to take pictures and share your purple pride. Post your photos at ww.facebook.com/AlzTN.
2. Learn about Alzheimer's disease. Every minute someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. More than 110,000 Tennesseans are facing the disease and that number is growing. Court Clerk offices across the state have educational materials from Alzheimer's Tennessee to help you learn about Alzheimer's and related dementias. For more information go to www.alzTennessee.org.
3. Make a donation. Along with displaying your purple spirit we hope you will consider supporting Alzheimer's Tennessee's mission with a donation. Please make checks payable to Alzheimer's Tennessee. You may bring your donation to your Court Clerk’s office or mail it directly to the Alzheimer’s Tennessee Main office at 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN 37919. To make an online donation go to http://www.alztennessee.org/donate
Because Alzheimer’s disease and dementia impact at least 110,000 Tennesseans, the Board of Directors for the State Court Clerks Association of Tennessee voted to adopt and support Alzheimer’s Tennessee, a Tennessee-based 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides support services, promotes brain health through education, and champions research for better prevention and treatment strategies. Court clerks had the opportunity to learn more about the disease at their annual conferences. Information about Alzheimer’s and related dementias will be available to the public through court clerk offices and at www.alzTennessee.org or by calling toll-free statewide 888.326.9888.
(Contact Dennis Norwood at sportsshooter614@gmail.com; follow him on Twitter at @DennisENorwood.)