By SABRINA BERNDT

Washington Daily News

For those who may have missed last year’s event, First Bank is once again bringing awareness to dementia through its annual dinner dance.

First Bank will be hosting its Making Memories Dinner Dance and Silent Auction fundraiser on Saturday, from 6 to 11 p.m., to raise funds for the Dementia Alliance NC organization. Located at the Washington Civic Center, all proceeds will be donated to the organization’s annual Walk to De-Feet Dementia, which helps to promote awareness.

“We’ve been on the team and had a sponsorship for many years, but my boss and I have been personally affected by dementia through our parents,” Dementia Alliance NC steering committee member and First Bank employee Helen Taitt said. “I joined the Beaufort County community steering committee and realized that there were actually two fundraisers that benefit the walk.”

Now on its fourth year, the First Bank fundraiser is offering dinner provided by Keyzer Catering and a cash beer and wine bar. A $35 ticket will also provide access to music from The Main Event Band, a R&B, soul, beach, country and folk music band, and the silent auction, which is full of local goods and themed baskets.

Despite filler items, all silent auction items were donated from local businesses and community members, including a wine-themed basket from Wine & Words and jewelry donated by various artists and local stores.

“We have four (N.C.) State tickets on the 50 yard line … We have a family basket with zoo passes and a one-night at the Holiday Inn Express in Asheboro,” Taitt said. “We have a Myrtle Beach package for a weekend. We have some nice things to auction off.”

While it’s important for attendees to enjoy themselves at the event, according to Taitt, it’s also important to focus on the main cause — Dementia Alliance NC and what the organization does for affected families.

“(It’s important) to bring awareness, to bring the community together, for education. That’s the biggest thing,” Taitt said. “From experience, I can say there’s a lot of people that don’t realize how much help there is out there. And we have information available for anybody that comes.”

Along with the fundraiser, First Bank also donates yearly to East Carolina University’ Brody School of Medicine for dementia research.

To become a sponsor or order tickets, contact 252-944-1149 or 252-948-0050.