Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s reaches over six hundred communities, successfully making it the world’s largest event to spread awareness and raise donations for the support, care, and research of Alzheimer’s.
Moore County residents took off on foot to participate in Moore County’s annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on Saturday, September 26th. Though the walk for Moore County technically started in September, residents have continued participating and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association.
This year, however, the walk took a different approach. Taking social distancing and preventative measures into consideration, the Alzheimer’s Association–Western Carolina Chapter encouraged participants to set out on their own to walk rather than attending an organized event.
Despite these necessary changes, participation for the walk was still high. It is estimated that between 250 and 300 people participated. Individuals had the choice of walking alone or in small groups, taking to neighborhoods, sidewalks, tracks, trails, and parks all across the state.
As it stands, the organization has currently raised over $29,000. The top fundraising team is currently McKee Homes, which has amassed over $6,000 in donations! As promised, every dollar that is raised by participants directly goes to those affected by Alzheimer’s in the local community. Donations can still be made through December 31st at act.alz.org/MooreCounty.
McKee Homes, which sponsored the Moore County walk, donates a portion of every home sale to non-profit organizations dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s, including the Alzheimer’s Association. Pat and Julie McKee are the presenting sponsor for the walks in Moore County, Fayetteville, Triangle, and Wilmington areas, and have additionally founded the Joe McKee Memorial Alzheimer’s Fund.
In addition to the walk, the Alzheimer’s Association went out of their way to recreate a drive-by version of their iconic Promise Garden. Located at Moore County Senior Enrichment Center in West End, the drive-by garden allowed participants of all walks of life to be able to view the garden from the safety and comfort of their own vehicles.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is prudent in raising awareness for Alzheimer’s in North Carolina. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 479,000 caregivers.”
To sign up as a walker in future events or learn more about Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit als.org/walk or call 800-282-3900.
