Arkansas Junior Queen sponsors music therapy drive
Mitchael seeks earbuds, headphones for Alzheimer’s patients
GRAVETTE — Ava Mitchael, a granddaughter of John Mitchael and the late Ruth Mitchael and daughter of Steve and Jill-Turner Mitchael of rural Gravette, is the reigning National American Miss Arkansas Junior Queen.
Ava represented Arkansas at the National American Miss pageant in Anaheim, Calif., last November. She has taken the fight against Alzheimer’s as her official platform and is currently on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Arkansas. She is striving to make a positive difference in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients.
Last Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22, Ava hosted a drive to promote music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. She asked for donations of earbuds, headphones, AirPods or electronics used to listen to music. In addition to music devices, she is accepting monetary donations and iTunes gift cards so she can purchase music for these patients.
“Music therapy has shown to have tremendous effects on Alzheimer’s patients,” she said, “and I want y’all to help me make an impact! I greatly appreciate all the support and I hope you will donate all of the devices you don’t use!”
During the weekend drive, Mitchael received a few earbuds and a couple of older music players as well as a check which she plans to use to buy new music for Alzheimer’s patients. She is still accepting music devices, monetary donations and iTunes gift cards. Anyone who wishes to contribute any of these items can drop them off at 72 West, 11507 Arkansas Highway 72, in Centerton, or mail them to that address if they are unable to come in person. 100% of all donations will go toward the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Business hours at 72 West are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It can be reached by telephone at 479-7156595.
Ava is a senior at Bentonville West High School. She has been a member of the chamber choir and the HOSA (Health Occupation Students Association) there and was on the cross country/track team.
Her father, Steve Mitchael, said, “As Ava enters her senior year in high school, she has taken on the fight against Alzheimer’s as her platform and is driven to find a cure to end this horrible disease. Her mom and I are so proud of her and ask that you please consider helping her by dropping off your donations at 72 West.”
M usic therapy has shown to have tremendous effects on Alzheimer’s patients, and I want y’all to help me make an impact!” — Ava Mitchael, National American Miss Arkansas Junior Queen