Downtown Mathews will “Paint the Town Purple” on June 21 to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and help reduce the stigma the illness carries with it. Kim Moore, social worker at Riverside Convalescent Center, Mathews, said she wanted to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, so she decided to help organize the effort.

Paint the Town Purple is held on June 21 because it’s the longest day of the year, and it calls attention to how long the days can be for people who take care of Alzheimer’s patients, said Ellie Galloway, regional director of the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck office of the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, June is Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month.

IsaBell Horsley Real Estate on Main Street in Mathews is joining in the effort, as well, said real estate agents Rosemary Griffith and Bernadette La Casse, because the owner and founder of the company, IsaBell Horsley, has A...