Record Setting Year at Walk for Alzheimer's Events in Oxford County

Monday, 27 January 2020 10:26

It was a record breaking year at the Alzheimer Walks in Woodstock and Tillsonburg.

WOODSTOCK/TILLSONBURG - It was a record breaking year at the Alzheimer Walks in Woodstock and Tillsonburg.

Both events, combined brought in over $185,000. The walk in Tillsonburg last week raised over $42,000 and the Woodstock event this past weekend raised over $142,000.

Executive Director for the Alzheimer's Society of Oxford Shelley Green says more money is still coming in.

"Amazing totals and money continues to come in, it is going to come in for weeks and so I am really confident we are going to get to our goal of $200,000."

So many volunteers stepped up to help make this event a huge success. Green says one touching moment had the event when 12 year old Addison Wismer-Van Meer spoke at the event.

"She's incredible, she is only 12 years old and she raised over $2,200, I mean that is just incredible, what inspiration to other people that we have a 12 year old raising that kind of money. Then over in Tillsonburg, we have Zoe Papadakis who is our top fundraiser and has been for the last few years, she is only 16 and she has been coming since she was a little girl, it is incredible to see the youth raise that kind of money and what an example, for so many, adults and kids alike. We really developed our walk that would be engaging for all ages, that is very intentional because we want families to come, we want people who are young, people who are older, to feel like they can come, participate and really feel like they are contributing to the work at the Alzheimer society."

The funds all go towards programs and services for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's and to support the awareness and education about dementia.

The Walk is more than just a fundraiser, it helps people living with the diseases know they are not alone in the community and that there are people who care enough about them to help stop the disease.

Green says that everyone in the society is thankful for the community.

"In Tillsonburg this is our 25th anniversary, and in Woodstock it's our 26th walk, so this has been a long standing fundraiser here in Oxford County and we're just so pleased and so thankful to our community for not only standing behind the event but supporting it so generously because even now it continues to grow each year and we're all so thankful for that support.

The community can continue to donate online here or by calling the local office at 519-421-2466, you can even send in a cheque, and put a note on the cheque that it is for the walk.