CAPS is an Alzheimer's Day Care which provides socialization and stimulation for persons suffering from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke. The need for this project was brought to our attention by one of our members, Patti Rascon, who's mother attends CAPS.

Patti's family started with CAPS in October, 2003. The CAPS center has become a very important part of their lives by giving her mother a place to go outside the home, be safe, socialize with others and keep active. Family caregivers benefit from the respite, support, and consultation available. CAPS is designated as an Alzheimer's Day Care and Resource Center (ADCRC) by the California Department of Aging.

The focus of our project was the poorly designed and inefficient kitchen. We set out in force to make that change. We had 3 days to complete the project while dealing with very sensative emotions of the clients at the CAPS center, so we were trying to minimize the amount of activity they were exposed to.

We set out on Friday evening for the demolition of the kitchen. Chapter #110 member Gwen Stone-Garis was so enthusiastic about this part of the project that she earned the title of 'Demo Queen'.

Throughout the course of the weekend there were never fewer than 20 volunteers at any one time. Chapter #110 member Norma Shearer took charge of supplying our energy source with her tamales and home-made chili!

Our work force included Deb Bradley, the Chapter #110 2005 recipient of the Barbara Curtin Memorial Scholarship, now attending Pasadena City College. She brought along 2 of her classmates and her instructor, Richard Wheeler, and his son Mike Wheeler, who is a carpenter by trade. Richard Rascon of Rascon Electric and Mike Hughes of R & R Electric did the electrical work. We also had help from Paul Novell Contractors, many painters, chapter members, family and friends.