Duane Hicks
Town council and residents alike are being urged to participate in the Alzheimer Society’s “Walk for Memories” here next month.
Mary O’Connor, client services co-ordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts, told council Monday night that the fundraiser will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 from 1-3 p.m. starting at the New Beginnings Fellowship.
“This is an awareness walk for those coping with dementia and a fundraising event to support your local Alzheimer Society,” O’Connor noted.
“It is our hope today that you will come out and participate.”
Events such as the “Walk for Memories” are crucial for the Alzheimer Society, which only is 45 percent funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
“The remaining 55 percent must come from the community to provide ongoing services, operations, and programs,” O’Connor explained.
“Our programs are increasingly vital,” she stressed. “We need funds to keep them active.”
Pledge forms are available at the Memorial Sports Centre and Northwoods Gallery & Gifts.
The Alzheimer Society is a nationwide charity dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer disease and their families, noted O’Connor.
It develops and provides support, education, programs, and information to people with the disease, as well as their families, caregivers, and members of the health-care team.
As the local client services co-ordinator, O’Connor covers Mine Centre to Rainy River and north to Nestor Falls.
She said the need for the Alzheimer Society’s programs and services are greater than ever.
Currently, more than 1,000 people in the two districts have been affected by the disease—and the demand for services is climbing.
An estimated 1.3 million Canadians will be affected by Alzheimer’s by 2038.
The risk for dementia doubles every five years after age 65.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•referred a request from Calvin Morrisseau, executive director of the Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services, re: a letter of support to pursue funding for a detox facility and programming, to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•proclaimed Oct. 20-26 as “Waste Reduction Week” as per a request from the Recycling Council of Ontario;
•referred a request from Times Printing, re: the 2015 Vacation Guide Map advertising, to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•referred a request from Don Lee, re: two rental parking spots in the vicinity of Club 88, to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation;
•referred a request from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, re: the double-hatter firefighter issue in the national media, to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation, with input from Fire Chief Frank Sheppard (a double-hatter is a professional firefighter who volunteers in their free time);
•passed a bylaw to authorize the entering into of a renewal lease agreement with John Myers at the Fort Frances Airport;
•passed a bylaw to approve a service agreement with Frank Wepruk (doing business as Wepruk Enterprises) for the provision of information technology services;
•passed a bylaw to appoint a Joint Compliance Audit Committee (this is a district committee to ensure compliance with the Municipal Election Act in the Oct. 27 election);
•passed a bylaw to rescind by-law 23/13A (a bylaw to amend capping parameters for the 2013 taxation year); and
•provided notice that town property located as 446 Third St. E. is surplus property for sale.
