Walk to End Alzheimer's draws crowd in Montgomery

A crowd gathered at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery on Saturday, Oct. 6, for the Orange/Sullivan Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Despite the chilly, wet weather, spirits were high as nearly 500 walkers arrived on site, registered and claimed their flowers for the event.

Each Walk to End Alzheimer’s features a Promise Garden Ceremony, in which the flowers’ colors represent the walkers’ relationships to the disease. Those who have lost someone to the disease carry purple flowers, those who are living with the disease carry blue flowers, caregivers carry yellow flowers and those devoted to the cause carry orange ones. During the ceremony, each of these groups raises their flowers in the air before someone holding a white flower appears representing the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.

Registration for the walk started at 9 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by the walk. Zumba instructor Angele Alexander led the walkers in a high-energy warmup exercise before they set out on the two-mile trek. Following the walk, chili and cornbread provided by Promenade at Middletown was served in the pavilion as raffle winners were announced.

“It was a really nice event,” said David Sobel, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. “It’s so invigorating to see such passionate people out there walking in support of our cause, even in the rain.”

The walk has raised more than $80,000 so far with around another $64,000 remaining to reach its goal. Fundraising continues through Dec. 31; donations can be made at OrangeSullivanWalk.org.

About the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Participants learn about Alzheimer's disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical-study enrollment and support programs and services.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. To learn more about programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.