Carrot Cakes and Caring: Stones River Manor Honors Mike Gann's Legacy in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Sep 23, 2024 at 08:19 pm by WGNS News

Hear our 11-min. interview by clicking PLAY below.


Hear our interview with Thomas Stevenson at the Stones River Manor by clicking "Play" above. 

Murfreesboro, TN –Stones River Manor in Murfreesboro is honoring the legacy of longtime employee Mike Gann, who passed away last December. To pay tribute to him, nurses, staff, and volunteers are raising funds for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s in his name.

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Gann, who worked at the Manor for 30 years, was a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s research and always led a team in the annual walk, which will be held on the MTSU campus this November.  This year, “The Manor for Mike” team will carry on his tradition, with volunteers like Thomas Stevenson… Stevenson and others want to keep Gann’s legacy alive.

Gann’s dedication to Alzheimer’s research came from a personal place. Twenty-six years before his death, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare brain disorder with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s. Despite his diagnosis, Gann remained active, preaching twice a month at Sugar Tree Knob Church of Christ and staying involved in efforts to find a cure for both Alzheimer’s and dementia-related illnesses.

Mike Gann Baked Over 2,000 Carrot Cakes - One of the many ways Gann left a lasting impact was through his famous homemade carrot cakes… He baked cakes for those who donated to the Alzheimer’s Association through his team of participants... This simple but heartfelt gesture remains a cherished memory for those who knew him.

Gann’s Wife Top Fundraiser - Gann’s wife of 27-and-a-half years, Sheila, is continuing his mission and is currently the top fundraiser for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Rutherford County, having already raised an astonishing $20,000+. Her overall goal is to reach $25,000, and she’s determined to meet it in honor of her late husband.

Stones River Manor Top Fundraising Team - “The Manor for Mike” team has met their goal and are on the road to exceeding the $20,000 they set out to reach... To help in that effort, Stones River Manor will host a Yard Sale this coming Friday and Saturday, with all proceeds going toward the Alzheimer’s walk. The sale will take place at the Manor, running from 7 AM to 4 PM on Friday and 7 AM to Noon on Saturday. Stevenson hopes to see even more donations at the yard sale this weekend… As for the rest of the “Manor for Mike” team, they invite the community to stop by, shop, and support this important cause.

If you’d like to donate items for the upcoming yard sale / fundraiser, call the manor at 615-893-5617. The community can also help in the efforts by donating items to be sold at the yard sale. If you have large items you’d like to donate, the manor can help with that as well. Simply call 615-893-5617. To financially donate directly to the “Manor for Mike” team in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit RUCOwalk.com, scroll down to the “Find a Team” section and type in “Manor for Mike” or CLICK HERE.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s: The Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place on Saturday, November 2, 2024. It will be on the MTSU campus at the Hayes Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro (1568 Greenland Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37132).  Pre-register online or register on the day of the event on-site between 8AM and 9AM, with the opening ceremony beginning at 9.

Yard Sale Location: Stones River Manor / Address: 205 Haynes Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 / Phone Number: (615) 893-5617.