Alzheimer's Association's Memory Walk Raises Funds to End Dementia

Charity walks are a great way to get a little exercise, raise money for a great cause and meet others. The Memory Walk, which is an event to benefit the Alzheimer's Association, promises all three of these great things in one.

In Carmel, New York, the annual walk is begining at the Office of the Aging. It goes on for about 1.5 miles before we turn around and go back to the Office of the Aging. The walk is 3 miles in total.

The walk is an event to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association gives money in support of education, research and funding programs for patients and their families suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's. The goal for the 2007 Carmel Memory Walk is $31,000.

The event is held anually, and nationally. If Carmel, New York, is not local to you, please consider joining your local Memory Walk.

For anyone who wants to participate, but is unable to walk three miles, you are still invited! There are events planned including raffles and activities for the whole family to participate in.

There is no minimum to fundraise, but, they would like walkers to set a goal of $200. What is nice about this walk is that even if you don't meet this goal, you are still welcome to participate. And anyone who raises at least $100 will receive a Memory Walk shirt!

The event is also great for people looking to walk as a group. When you sign up it asks if you would like to be a team captain. If you say yes, you are encouraged to promote the event to others and recruit them to join "under" you. The team aspect of the event is great. Many team members decide to get special shirts or hats made so they can look somewhat "uniform" as they walk together. Teams also encourage one another to raise more money, because they can share ideas for fundraising.

For team captains, it is also easy to use the power of the internet to communicate with your team members. I am a team captain, and I use the walk email to send notes of encouragement to the team. I am able to highlight how well our group is doing, as well as members that are doing really well. I even ask members how they are raising so much money, and I share their secrets to the group via these emails.

Anyone who registers for the event online, whether or not they are a team captain, gets access to a webpage for fundraising, and an interface to easily send out emails to ask for donations to the event.

I have participated in numerous charity walks. I think the Memory Walk is an easier walk, and one that is great for someone just getting involved with charity events. The short length of the walk (3 miles) and the lack of a minimum for fundraising make it an easily accessable walk. I like walks like these because it's a great way to get new people "turned on" to the idea of walking to raise money for charity.

The walk benefits a great cause, one that touches almost everyone, and it's an event that anyone can participate (even disabled or elderly people who can no longer walk can participate in this event!) It's an event that I think everyone should consider participating in. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain: exercise, the high of doing good for others, and, a great weekend spent with family, friends, and even new faces. Who could ask for more?