Make Memories Matter with the Walk for Alzheimer's

Monday, 11 January 2016 08:49

The Walk for Memories is now the Walk for Alzheimer's but it promises to be just as fun and informative.

The Walk for Memories has a new name, but it's for the same great cause.

Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Oxford Shelley Green says they are encouraging the community to come together once again and help support the Alzheimer Society of Oxford with the Walk for Alzheimer's. "This past year the Alzheimer Society of Canada took over the walk and they realized we had so many names for our walks across the country that in order to help to bring more awareness and more consistant branding to the event they wanted to come up with a consistant name. So Walk for Memories is certainly the name that I'm familiar with but we've moved to Walk for Alzheimer's."

Green says this is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and as the need for their services grows it becomes even more important. "We're funded at 61% of our total budget from the government. So that means that we really rely on the community's support and generosity for 39% of our budget and most people are aware of the fact that more and more people are being diagnosed with with Alzheimer's and dementia so unfortunately the need for our services and programs is not diminishing, it's only growing."

Although they are bringing awareness to a very serious disease, Green says the walks are also a lot of fun. "And some of our people quite honestly come in they hand in their pledges, the get a coffee and something to eat and they visit with their friends. And that's totally fine. We have free massages, face painting, kids activities, free food - so there are things going on throughout the event. We have stretch breaks. In Ingersoll and Woodstock we are going to be having Zumba again this year, which is a lot of fun."

There are three walks in Oxford County:

Saturday January 23
Tillsonburg @ Lions Auditorium 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Ingersoll @ Unifor Hall 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday January 30
Woodstock @ Oxford Auditorium 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

You can Register Online or contact Sheena Poole, Events Coordinator, for help at 518-421-2466 ext. 224 or at sheena@alzheimer.oxford.on.ca