By LINN ANN HUNTINGTON
Las Hefas Latin Cuisine Restaurant, 224 W. 11th St., has committed to raise $1,000 for Alzheimer’s research.
Keighlee Wilken, a waitress at Las Hefas, is organizing the fund drive. She said individuals may donate to the fundraiser in three different ways.
Las Hefas has signed up as a team to raise money for the Hays “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” on Oct. 10. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all sales, both dine-in and to-go sales, all day on Thursday, Sept. 24, to that team pledge.
The restaurant is also selling purple Las Hefas “End AZ” T-shirts for $25. Orders will be taken until Sept. 24, Wilken said. People may come to the restaurant or call her at 785-261-0643 to order a shirt.
Lastly, individuals may make monetary donations. Wilken said people can come to the restaurant and donate by cash or check. Or, individuals may go to the Alzheimer’s Walk page online, act.alz.org, and donate specifically to the Las Hefas team. Donations specifically earmarked for the restaurant’s team will help the business meet its $1,000 goal, Wilken said.
Las Hefas is owned by Israel Luna, who came to the United States from Durango, Mexico, 24 years ago at the age of 13. He is now a U.S. citizen.
Wilken said Las Hefas decided to support the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” because the walk is “a pretty big event held here in Hays. It is a local event, as well as a national one. They were a little short of their goal this year, and it was a cause that Israel chose to support.”
According to the Alzheimer’s website, more than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and “one in three older adults dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.”
The Hays walk will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 10, starting in the Fort Hays State University quad.
According to the Alzheimer’s website, “All funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.”
Individuals may sign up to participate in the walk by registering on the above website. There is no cost to register. All participants will receive a Promise Garden Flower, the website said.
More information about the walk is available at 316- 267-7333 or CWKSadmin@alz.org.
More information about the Las Hefas fundraiser is available at 785-261-0643.
Dining and Cooking