It was covered in graffiti. Now a mural for a good cause is covering it up
After a string of graffiti incidents plagued an assisted living facility in South Tacoma, residents at the center came together last week to paint a mural to cover up the graffiti and fundraise to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Dozens of residents gathered at the Village Senior Living in South Tacoma on June 20 to work on the mural, which depicts Mount Rainier at sunset. Johnnae McDaniels, director of life enrichment at the center, said the center partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association’s to paint the mural during the “Longest Day” — an initiative from the nonprofit that focuses fundraising efforts each year on the summer solstice.
“We’re turning graffiti into greatness with paint, passion and purpose on the summer solstice,” McDaniels said in a release.
The mural depicted the mountain at sunset, which represents the phenomenon that Alzheimer’s patients experience called “sundowning,” in which people with Alzheimer’s experience more agitation and confusion in the late hours of the day.
The facility raised $345 of their $1,500 goal as of June 24, according to their website. The Village Senior Living extended their fundraiser until August, and is still accepting donations.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM.
