September 26, 2017 at 8:52 a.m.
Alzheimer's walk draws a crowd
Alzheimer's walk draws a crowd
By Kayla Thomason-
Participants walked one mile or three miles, with the longer route heading through downtown.
Julie St. Pierre, community outreach specialist, noted there was an uptick in participation this year.
There were 44 teams registered - 11 more than last year - without adding walk-ins, she said.
"The Walk to End Alzheimer's is actually the largest fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association so basically through the Walk to End Alzheimer's is how we have the funding to be here in the Northwoods providing programs and services to people who are affected right here in our community," she said.
The goal was to raise $83,000 and as of the morning before the event they were halfway there, organizers said.
"It's pretty amazing to have that goal, it's pretty aggressive for a community this size but we also have great support from surrounding communities so we have many teams that come from Tomahawk, Crandon, Minocqua, Eagle River, that are all part of it," St. Pierre said.
A portion of the funds raised goes to research, she said, the rest stays local.
Laura Maki has participated in the walk for five years after her mother passed in 2012 from Alzheimer's. She walks with a friend whose father is currently battling the disease.
Maki liked that the event was held at the school.
"It's pretty cool, I like that they're in the high school, there's a lot more room, it's brighter," she said, adding that she thought it was very hot, but the attendance was great.
"Without us doing this and getting awareness there would never be any research going on and people wouldn't donate and help us find a cure," she said.
Heather Wood, a first-time attendee, walked with her family in honor of her grandmother who passed away in 2011 and her husband's grandfather who passed away in 1999.
"I like it, we're having fun," she said.
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