Photo by LORETTA JACKSON The NH Hot Dogz for ALZ event was well publicized with signage, social media posts and lawn signs that promoted the 11th annual event. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

MERRIMACK – A team of volunteers hosting Hot Dogz for ALZ manned the grill on June 25 in the dining hall kitchen of Our Lady of Mercy Parish on Baboosic Lake Road, to properly sear 2,750 hot dogs, soon to be sold at $5 for two — including chips and a beverage — to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.

People came out to enjoy their meal on picnic tables outdoors in the bright sunshine, or beneath tents set up in the parking lot. It was the fourth year supporters could do a drive through to get their meals, passed to them through the driver’s window by friendly “car hops” who served them.

This year’s team leaders, Greg and Linda Durbin, along with Dave Brown, partnered with “Hot Dog Emeritus” Bob Bergin, who founded the event with friends in 2015, to conduct the current undertaking.

“This is the 11th annual NH hot Dogz for ALZ, which has raised more than $102,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter since its inception,” noted Linda.

The team thanks a wide range of contributors.

Volunteers presenting the 11th Annual NH Hot Dogz for ALZ fundraiser, hosted on June 26 outside Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Merrimack, pause for documentation of the event's success before storing the accoutrements that enabled them to serve 2,750 hot dogs, along with chips and chilled beverages, to supporters who paid a $5 donation for the fare to augment Alzheimer's research. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Hot dogs and rolls were donated by Thirsty Moose Taphouse, D.W. Diner, Buckley’s, Shaheen Brothers and Fantini Bakery. The Coca-Cola Company donated 1,000 drinks. Utz Quality Foods provided more than 1,000 bags of potato chips. Planet Fitness donated bottled water. Additionally, condiment packets from the local Garrett’s Family Market / Rapid Refill Convenience Store rounded out the menu.

Greg Durbin credited the event’s success to the enthusiasm of dozens in the community who have worked long hours over the years to sustain the fundraiser.

The corps of volunteers this year included members of Merrimack Rotary, Knights of Columbus Council 6725 and parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Merrimack, along with members of the Merrimack Senior Citizen Club and many other individuals.

The Alzheimer’s Association reports more than 162,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s and that 261,000 caregivers dedicate 323 million hours of unpaid care, often from spouses, partners, friends, or grown children.

A wealth of information on the programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter is available online at alz.org/manh.

Inquiries regarding the local Hot Dogz for ALZ may be emailed to nhhotdogzforalz@gmail.com.