Duane Hicks
Get those walking shoes out of the closet.
The annual “Walk for Alzheimer’s,” hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, is coming up here June 10, offering 2K and 5K walks along the waterfront.
But before then, participants are asked to collect pledges, said Mary Carter, program and events co-ordinator for the local Alzheimer Society.
She directed pledge-getters to register online at www.walkforalzheimers.ca
“You can get the pledge forms right off that site,” Carter explained.
“You can also create a team on the website–or go on as an individual–and get donations online that way,” she added.
Those unable to go online can call the Alzheimer Society office at 1-807-468-1516 and give your information to Mary O’Connor, client services co-ordinator for the local Alzheimer Society, who is based in Rainy River and travels around the district.
“We are in the process of mailing her packages so she can distribute them,” noted Carter.
“We are also mailing out packages to the individuals who participated in previous years.”
When it comes to the day of the event, participants can go down to the Sorting Gap Marina before the walk, pledge forms in hand.
If they choose not to collect pledges, they still can register and participate, Carter said.
Registration begins at 10 a.m., with a warm-up and motivational speech to follow at 10:30-10:45 a.m.
The walks will begin at 11 a.m.
After working up an appetite, walkers can meet back at the Sorting Gap Marina and enjoy a free barbecued lunch.
Walkers are reminded to bring along lawn chairs or blankets to sit on (there are tables and benches at the Sorting Gap but there might be more participants than they can accommodate).
There also will be a “memory wall,” where participants can post photos or the names of the loved ones who they’re walking for, noted Carter.
The event, which used to be held in October, was changed to June in 2015.
At that time, it also saw a new name (it previously was the “Walk for Memories”) and a new start location at the Sorting Gap Marina.
