There was a great turnout of people for the Investor’s Group Walk for Memories held in Barriere on Jan. 30.
Sixty-one walkers participated, ranging in age from two (Paige Arcand ) to 97 (Manne Salle), with 14 fourteen volunteers helping to make the event a resounding success.
Caroline Knox, the representative for the Kamloops office of Investors Group was in attendance. She gave a brief speech and then donated $500 to the event.
“This is our fifth consecutive year sponsoring the Walk,” said Cox, “We are very proud to see how much this event has grown over the years. With Walks now held in 19 communities around the province, over $1.9 million has been raised for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in the past four years. These much needed funds support research, education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.”
This year’s Walk in Barriere was dedicated to area resident John Paula and wife Pat, along with daughters Cheryl and Christie. After John’s diagnosis, Pat looked to the Alzheimer Society for help accessing “information, insight, and emotional support, which I received compassionately and quickly,” she said. This service helped Pat provide care to John at home and was a great resource throughout the 10 years of their lives after the onset of Alzheimer’s.
While the final numbers are not yet in for the Barriere event, pledges received at the Walk totalled $4,500. Funds raised from the silent auction are yet to be added in.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is a non-profit organization providing province-wide support and education for families impacted by dementia and anyone concerned with memory loss, and leads a provincial effort to transform dementia care in the province.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia go to www.alzheimerbc.org