Mary’s Angels raises over $5,000 for Alzheimer research

It was another successful fundraiser at Uncle Mony’s in Hayfield Saturday night, as Mary’s Angels raised $5,129 for Alzheimer’s research.
The total included money raised from a silent auction, bake sale, and food, said Barry Thompson of Owatonna.
The fundraiser is in honor of Mary Behne, a Hayfield resident, who died from complications of Alzheimer’s in 20212. It is organized by Behne’s daughter, Karen Thompson, and her husband, Barry, as well as other family members.
In its tenth year, Mary’s Angels has raised more than $130,000. Thompson said that Tom Monahan, owner of Mony’s, has always been supportive of the fundraiser, donating 100 percent of the money raised by the meal of sloppy joes, baked beans, and chips. The fundraiser also included free bowling for the children.
This year’s effort, he said, was up from last year. Most of those attending come from Dodge County and surrounding communities, including Owatonna and Rochester.
The group’s fundraising efforts include more than the Hayfield benefit, Thompson said. Mary’s Angels is also involved in education efforts at the Farmer’s Markets in Owatonna and Kenyon, vendor shows, motorcycle runs, a wine tasting in Hayfield and a benefit at Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna.
A June motorcycle run that began in Austin and traveled through Blooming Prairie, Geneva, and several towns in Dodge County raised $2,500.
The Thompsons said that the fight against Alzheimer’s is personal to them as they watched Behne’s battle against the disease for years. That, they said, is the reason the family started their efforts to raise funds for research.
As many as 6.5 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s. It is not a normal part of aging but the risk of developing it increases with advanced age. Current research shows the prevalence of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years beyond 65. The monies raised by Mary’s Angels goes to the Alzheimer’s Association, which is the largest nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to accelerating the progress in preventing, finding a cure and living with Alzheimer’s disease.
This year’s Alzheimer’s Walk in Owatonna is on Sept. 27 with a goal of raising $80,000.