Checks totaling more than $25,000 were presented to Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association as part of the Observer-Reporter’s 2014 special reporting series on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Most of the money was generated through a purse auction fundraiser, held at The Meadows Casino in November. In the photo above, O-R Editor Liz Rogers, center, presents checks to Leslie Grenfell, left, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging, and Kathy Costantino, the agency’s Washington County supervisor. The agency received $15,749 for caregivers in Washington County and $4,800 for Greene County. Below, Rogers presents checks to Angela Grimm, vice president of development of the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. The checks – $3,937 for Washington County and $1,200 for Greene County – will be used for educational programming.