Alzheimer Society hopes for a fund-raising hat trick

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Michael J Brethour

EMC Lifestyles - Belleville - Some cities walk for enjoyment, others walk for awareness, but January in the friendly city, we simply and proudly "Walk For Memories."

This year marks the 17th annual Walk For Memories hosted by the local Alzheimer chapter. The major fund-raising event is the highlight of January's Alzheimer Awareness Month.

This year is special as the local chapter celebrates its silver anniversary. The event is slated for Sunday, January 29, from 10 a.m. till roughly noon at the Bay View Mall, 470 Dundas Street East, Belleville.

Laura Hare, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Belleville-Hastings-Quinte, said the charity is still riding on the high of last two year's successes.

"We had been hovering around the $25,000 mark, the year before last we popped up to $41,000. We thought my heavens what did we do? Last year we hit just over $50,000 so we are looking to hit that again this year, hopefully it was not just a blip," she said.

In 2010, 19 teams participated with 112 registered walkers said Hare. Last year over 200 walkers participated, that number said Hare is the target they hope to reach.

"We need at least that to reach the $50,000 goal," she said. "Bay View Mall just swings at our walk, it's just packed with people. We have music, we got balloons, we got families and we got games for a very short period of time, but a lot of fun," said Hare.

Last year marked the second year of online registration and donations, which Hare said really showed with the overall amount raised last year. Continuing this year, she reported that the online registration is at an all-time high.

"We have more people enrolled online than ever before, which says a lot a considering it is literally the beginning of January," she said.

Money can be raised the old-fashioned way with a physical pledge form or if participants prefer they can also do it online at and then come participate in the walk. Those interested in participating can call 613-962-0892 to register that way.

The money raised from this event allows the charity to continuing giving support to a growing client group, and to do so at no charge to those using the services.

One of the new services offered by the chapter is a cooking class for men, specifically the caregivers of spouses afflicted with the disease.

"It has been a huge success," Hare said of the program. "There is room for only nine or ten men that share not only recipes but personal experiences."

In addition there was a first-time-ever retreat for caregivers.