Tres Café owner Shirley Chu will host a chicken and noodle dinner to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The fundraiser is being called “the first of its kind” for good reason, said Amber Bowcott, walk manager for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Chu, Bowcott said, is known to hold fundraisers for many causes, including veterans, first responders and of course issues impacting children. She is certain this won’t be Chu’s last Kewanee benefit.

“She does these for all kinds of organizations in Galesburg,” said Bowcott, who is a Kewanee resident.

The Kewanee restaurant location is Chu’s third and so when it was being discussed where to hold the next fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, “Kewanee seemed like a no-brainer,” said Bowcott.

Bowcott said Chu has several Kewanee customers who come in and eat a meal on their way to visit a loved one with Alzheimer or dementia in a care facility, so the issue is dear to Chu’s heart.

“She’s like Santa Claus,” Bowcott said of the restaurant owner’s generosity.

Bowcott is a walk manager for Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the largest one-day event to raise funds for the care, support of patients and research for a cure. The event will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Lake Storey in Galesburg.

Alzheimer’s or other dementia affects 7.2 million Americans. Over 250,000 Illinois residents are living with the disease, and 316,000 caregivers are supporting them.

“It kills more people than prostate and breast cancer combined, and one in three seniors die from the disease. One third of dementia caregivers are daughters. It hits so close to home and resources are needed to meet the challenges and be prepared,” said Bowcott.

The chicken and noodle fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 4-8 p.m. The cost for the dinner is $10 and will take place at Tres Café, located at 300 W. 3d St. The event will also feature a silent auction from 4-7 p.m. along with a 50/50 drawing. Carry-outs are available by calling 309-761-8088. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Bowcott also reminds residents who are impacted by Alzheimer’s, dementia or are a newly diagnosed patient or a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient with questions can call the helpline at 800-272-3900.