Walk for Memories

Friday, 17 January 2014 14:34

The Alzheimer Society of Oxford County gears up for two big weekends.

The local Alzheimer Society is looking to raise $112,000 over the next two weekends as part of Walk for Memories.

The annual events hosted in Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and Woodstock raised $103,000 combined last year.

Executive Director Shelley Green says all of the money raised locally stays in Oxford County.

"I know that this is something that our community has been so supportive of, to know that when they are raising money here in Oxford County that it's staying here in Oxford County to financially support the many programs and services we have to offer."

The annual walk, which raises money to support the work staff does to help those with dementia in Oxford County, begins the first of three walks Saturday.

Green says the walk is really symbolic with no set number of laps or distance to walk.

"People can come in literally and hand in their pledge sheet and money and then go take advantage of the other things we have going on like the free food, massages, face painting, if they bring children with them, the children's activities and we also have door prizes. It's just a really fun way to spend a couple of hours and know that you're a difference in your community."

Green says the highlight of each event is always the Lights of Hope.

"That's a time when we stop and we slow down and we dim the lights and we all carry lit candles and that's really just to stop and remember why we're at the walk for memories. I know for many people who have been personally touched by this disease that it's a very meaningful part of the event where they think about what they are living through currently or what they've lived through in the past."

Three local walks are running over the next two weekends. Tillsonburg is Saturday from 9-11am at Lions Auditorium, Ingersoll hosts their walk Sunday 2-3:30 at the CAW hall and the Woodstock walk runs next Saturday from 2-4pm at the Oxford Auditorium.

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