Third annual Alzheimer’s walk set for May 14th

Ken Johnston

Do you like to walk? Well on May 14th there will be a great reason to get out and do just that.
The Third Annual Alzheimer Society Walk for Memories will be held in Rainy River.
Last year the number of participants doubled from the inaugural year from 4-9. The amount of money they raised also more than doubled from $1,053 to $2,509. Alz. Society of Kenora/Rainy River Exec. Dir. Marg Shonewille is optimistic that the numbers will continue to grow in Rainy River. She noted that Rainy’s walk-a-thon has been very successful, more so than other communities of comparable size. “This year Mayor Armstrong has agreed to lead the walk-a-thon.”
Mayor Glen Armstrong confirmed that Monday.
A big part of the event has been Marlene McNally of Rainy River who singlehandedly signed up more than $1,000 in sponsors last year.
The highest money earner this year will win a free night at the Canadinn in Winnipeg, MB.
The event will also feature a new way for people to donate. A program that has garnered quite a bit of success in other communities is called Penny for your Thoughts. It asks people to dig out those penny jars and bring them in to be weighed. The pennies are donated to the Alzheimer Society and the person with the heaviest jar of pennies will win a hanging plant.
The walk-a-thon will begin at the Rainy River Legion parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Penny for Your Thoughts will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. The pennies do not have to be rolled.
Shonewille said people do not need to participate in both events. “All are welcome to bring in their pennies, walk or do both.”
All the proceeds raised are used to fund education workshops in the region of which there were several in and around Rainy River last year.
Sponsor sheets for the walk are available at the Rainy River Record Office (312 3rd St.).