Alzheimer’s Association volunteer Lou Betton recognized for service

Lou Betton of Millsboro has been associated with the Alzheimer’s Association since the mid-1980s when her husband Pete was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At first, finding little information available in Sussex County, she visited the association’s Wilmington office. She joined the Delaware Valley Chapter’s board of directors and commuted to Wilmington for evening board meetings. Betton is largely responsible for the Delaware Chapter’s decision to open an office in Sussex County in 2001. She has facilitated support groups and volunteered in the Georgetown office.

Betton, Sarah Ortolani of Rehoboth and Tawnya Dennis of Seaford formed a volunteer committee and organized the first Memory Walk in Rehoboth Beach in 1997. Over the years, Lou has always been a fundraiser for the Rehoboth Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Lou, now 90, has cut back on volunteer hours due to some health issues, but she still raises funds to support the Rehoboth Walk. Ted Fort, a member of the Delaware Red Men and also an association volunteer, crafted a wooden piggy bank on wheels to use for fundraisers several years ago. Lou takes the pig to her church each fall and asks for support. “Feed the Pig” is the notice in her church bulletin, and the congregation of Grace United Methodist Church in Millsboro always supports her efforts. To date, Lou has raised $1,507, and she says there is more to come.