Share the care during Saturday’s Walk to Remember

They will gather Saturday morning at Westgate Park with a singleness of purpose. They hope, one day, to make Alzheimer’s disease and the devastation that it brings to its victims nothing more than a memory.

While the money the participants raise for the 16th Annual “A Walk to Remember,” sponsored by the Dothan-based Alzheimer’s Resource Center, will not find a cure for the dreaded brain disease, those funds will be used to assist families who deal with the realities of the disease on a daily basis.

The Alzheimer’s Resource Center was established to provide information and educational materials to the family members and caregivers who care for Alzheimer patients. The office is not affiliated with the national Alzheimer’s Association, and it is not a recipient of United Way funding. The annual walk serves as the major fund-raising effort to keep the agency’s doors open.

Kay Jones, executive director of the ARC, views the walk, however, as more than a fund-raising effort.

“This is the one time we go to the community to ask for support,” Ms. Jones said. “We are an independent organization. We depend upon the generosity of our community for funding.

“While the walk provides our funding, I view it as more than just a fund-raising effort. I believe the walk is a community-wide support group. So often, caregivers feel like they are all alone. They come out for the walk and see how many people have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. It’s very heartwarming for them to see the community supporting them.”

And, Jones says, it’s not too late to take part in Saturday’s walk.

“We do not require pre-registration,” Ms. Jones said. “We hope people will raise funds on their own and then come join us at the walk Saturday morning. Teams, which can be as few as two people, are always welcome. Teams can consist of family members, friends, co-workers, church members, schools and civic groups. Individual walkers are also welcome.”

In addition to the walk, a silent auction, coordinated by Judy Coe, will take place Saturday morning. Mrs. Coe says her committee members have gathered a wide range of items that will be available for bid.

“I believe we had 40 bid sheets last year,” Mrs. Coe said. “Total value of the items up for bid was close to $8,000. We raised $4,000 from those items. You can see that people got some good bargains.”

Mrs. Coe says most of the donated items will be grouped in gift baskets. The majority of items up for bid are gift certificates provided by area retailers and restaurants. Other larger items will also be available.

“We invite the public to come out and see what is going on,” Mrs. Coe said. “They don’t have to take part in the walk to participate in the silent auction.”

Walk registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies are at 8:30, followed by the walk at 8:45 a.m.

For more information about “A Walk to Remember” or the services provided by the Alzheimer’s Resource Center, call Kay Jones at 702-2273 or visit http://www.wesharethecare.org.
(Elaine Brackin is managing editor of The Dothan Progress.)