“I watched him go from a mayor of a community – a very successful man and a very proud man – Air Force – to one that lost his mobility, was confused every day,” Raines said. She said he, “drove on the wrong side of the road. Didn’t know where to go, didn’t know who we were. And he really lost himself. And that’s not who he was.”

So when Vitas teamed up with Bluewater Fitness to ride for awareness about Alzheimer’s – Raines was all in. 

The companies placed two bikes at the front of the building and challenged the community to keep them spinning for 12 hours on the longest day of the year – June 21st. 

The community’s response was excellent. People whose families have been affected by the disease came in to support the cause – buy raffle tickets and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association’s event in October. 

It means so much to Brieanne to see the people’s response and believes that the fundraiser also benefits them.  

“It’s very humbling to get people out and get them active. We all need to be around other people because we’ve been isolated for the last couple of years. And I think that by having people in the community come out and support this organization as well as Vitas Hospice, is truly humbling,” said Raines.

Raines expects the project to make a difference in the lives of future Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.