Local Woman Helps Raise Money and Awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease

 Rapid Refill gas stations became leaders in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by collecting donations for the Alzheimer’s Association® from their customers during June and July. In September, Rapid Refill’s Chairman, James Garrett, and campaign organizer Ben Bolen presented the Alzheimer’s Association with a check for $42,380 to fund research and programs that help families coping with the disease.

Top fundraiser Elizabeth Burt of Blackstone, MA helped raise $1,800 in donations for the Alzheimer’s cause while working at the Belmont, MA Rapid Refill station. This year marks the third annual “Purple Pump Up” campaign which raises money for the Alzheimer’s disease.

“Rapid Refill is an extraordinary partner for the Alzheimer’s cause and Elizabeth set a very high standard,” said James Wessler, president/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter.  Accepting the check for the Association, Wessler said “Rapid Refill has a strong sense of community involvement and they recognized that this disease has a tremendous impact. This kind of leadership is so necessary if we are going to turn the tide on Alzheimer’s.”

An industry leader, Rapid Refill is in its third year raising money and awareness for the Alzheimer cause. Their “Purple Pump Up” campaign, named for the Alzheimer’s cause color, included asking customers for donations as well as donating a percentage of gas sales on June 21st, “The Longest Day.”  The Purple Pump Up program has raised more than $97,000 since it began in 2011.

Rapid Refill’s James Garrett is strong in his commitment to the cause as shown by Volta’s willingness to match its customers’ donations. “This disease must be stopped before it affects even more people,” said Garrett whose family has been affected by Alzheimer’s. He recently lost his wife to Alzheimer’s, fourteen years after she was diagnosed.

 “In addition to the money raised, this kind of program does a tremendous service in terms of raising public awareness,” said Wessler. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are nearly 16 million family caregivers who provide care for those with the disease. “They need hope. Programs like Rapid Refill’s lets them know that people are working to make a difference.”  

Garrett said his store associates have talked to over 100,000 customers about this challenging disease over the last three years the program has been in effect, raising public awareness.

Alzheimer’s affects more than 5 million Americans, but only about half have been diagnosed. Public awareness is key to helping people receive the services they need to live with the disease, Wessler said. Information is available at alz.org/MANH.

Rapid Refill is part of the family-owned Volta Group, based in Plymouth, MA, which distributes petroleum products in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Volta Oil also retails gasoline, diesel and convenience store merchandise through twelve Rapid Refill stores throughout Eastern Massachusetts.  The Volta Group is owned and operated by Jim Garrett, of Duxbury, Ma, and his three sons, Bruce, Peter and Stephen.