Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce raises over $65,000 through area walks

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Hundreds of people at multiple sites walked to raise money for the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce on May 25.

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The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is one of the largest fundraising events in the country and the local organization’s weekend event raised over $65,000 — and counting.

Most walkers even managed to dodge the day’s downpour.

“We got really lucky,” said Michelle Fleming, community development and engagement coordinator. “Good turnout, good participation in person . . . and the money is all going to stay local to help support families living with dementia.”

Across Grey-Bruce, there are more than 4,425 people who have been diagnosed or are living with some form of dementia. By 2030, that is expected to increase to over 6,700 people and by 2050, to over 14,500.

Currently, the organization serves over 1,100 families in the region living with dementia.

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More than 45 volunteers supported the local walks, which took place at the arboretum at the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority headquarters near Owen Sound, in Hanover at the Sulphur Springs Conservation Area, in Saugeen Shores at Southampton’s Fairy Lake and at Thornbury’s Bayview Park.

“Some of those same people help out with our social recreation programs, health fairs, in our office and at other events. We have a really great group of volunteers who help year after year,” Fleming said. “We couldn’t do it without them, especially the day of the events. It’s really imperative.”

Other participant groups organized walks at local long-term care homes and some individuals participated remotely.

Fleming said she expects the local fundraising total will continue to climb as more money and pledges from the event are tallied.

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“We know over the next couple of weeks those numbers are going to rise and hopefully we’ll reach our goal of $95,000, but even at $65,000 we’re pretty happy with those results to provide services for the community,” she said.

The Alzheimer Society helps people diagnosed with dementia and their families navigate the disease and its different stages through education and awareness, peer support programs, active living programs, social recreation, and connecting clients to other community resources.

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate over time. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging and is irreversible, according to the Alzheimer Society website.

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“It’s so important for people managing the disease to maintain those social interactions,” Fleming said.

According to the local organization’s 2022-2023 annual report, the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce provided one or more of its services to 2,271 persons living with dementia.

Nationally, this year’s IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s has raised over $4.5 million toward its $7 million goal.

Each of the four local walks was about a kilometre long, designed to be a comfortable distance for all participants, including Alzheimer Society clients who joined in on the event.

After the walks, the organization offered prizes, refreshments and children’s activities.

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