Duane Hicks
A total of 21 participants put on their sneakers Saturday to “Walk for Memories” and ended up raising $2,882 for the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts.
Executive director Lynn Moffatt said Monday that the event was “a wonderful walk.”
“We felt this was a great turnout despite the weather getting colder and it being our first walk in the area [in several years],” she noted.
“We had a number of teams and individuals participating in the walk to not only support a great cause, but to keep physically and socially active, which helps reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” added Moffatt.
“Team Grandma,” consisting of Kristal, Malachi, and Kaden Mayfield, and Stacy and Keira Strom, were the top fundraising team, bringing in $1,040 in pledges.
“Team Grandma” members all sported T-shirts in honour of Eva Mattson, grandmother of Kristal Mayfield and Stacy Strom and their children’s great-grandmother.
The top individual fundraiser was Helen Cone ($750), following closely by Cathy Taylor ($342) and Trina Dowd ($250).
Door prizes were won by Kristal Mayfield and Brenda Heski.
Moffatt said the Alzheimer Society would like to thank not only all the walkers who collected pledges, but businesses that contributed to the walk and volunteers.
“We have over 1,000 people affected with dementia throughout the Kenora and Rainy River districts and this number is expected to grow,” she warned.
“It’s important that we provide these families with the support, education, and services.”
In addition to benefitting the Alzheimer Society, the event clearly had meaning for its participants.
“My grandma’s sort of in advanced stages of dementia,” said Rachel Dutton, who walked with her dad, John.
“I am walking for my grandma and some family friends we have,” she added.
“And I am a health care aide, so I work with a population that is affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
Brenda and Bob Heski came here from Eveleth, Mn. to walk in honour of her father, Russell Cone of Fort Frances, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Her mother, Helen Cone, also walked.
“We think it’s a great cause,” Heski remarked, adding she would like to see more people participate next year.
“Some more publicity would really help; make people aware you are doing this, and get them out here to join in,” she reasoned.
Eleanor Barron, the
Alzheimer Society’s “First Link” and public education co-ordinator, said the funds raised by Saturday’s walk help provide “the education and support and connection to resources for people in Rainy River District.”
“I thank you all for coming because your participation in this walk and the funds that you’ve raised . . . keep the services going,” she remarked, noting the Alzheimer Society is only 45 percent funded by the provincial government.
The rest of it has to come from donors.
“Usually that comes from people who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease,” said Barron.
“And looking out and having talked to most of you here, I know that you are directly [affected] by Alzheimer’s disease.
The walk started at the New Beginnings Fellowship on Mill Road, with the four-km route going from there to the Sorting Gap Marina and back.
Fitness instructor Arlene Georgeson led participants in warm-up Zumba exercises.
Christa Pare of 93.1 The Border emceed the event, and also shared a few words about how Alzheimer’s disease has affected her own grandmother and what the “Walk for Memories” means to her.
Next up for the Alzheimer Society will be its annual charitable dinner, which will be held Jan. 12 (in conjunction with “Alzheimer Awareness Month”) at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Tickets cost $50 each, and will go on sale the first week of November.
