“Our community’s Walk continues this year but looks different because the world is different right now,” Linda Knapp said. “We are still walking and our cause remains the same — to end Alzheimer’s Disease and all other dementias.”

Dollars raised during the annual awareness and fundraising event will go toward research for treatment and prevention, and to providing care and support to families impacted by Alzheimer’s.

The Walk has a central point — Betts Park in Warren — but it is not limited geographically.

“The Walk is everywhere,” Knapp said. “We encourage participants to walk as individuals or in small teams of friends and family, while others in the community are doing the same.”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry A sign for the Warren Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s is displayed at the Warren County Courthouse.

“Walk in your neighborhood, on any sidewalk, track or trail, or at a park, reaching all corners of the Warren Area,” she said. “Betts Park will not have a start or finish line this year, but there will be excitement there.”

Starting at 9 a.m., the Opening Ceremony will be live streamed at act.alz.org/warren2020 – Walk Details, Mainstage.

The ceremony features the personal reasons people have joined in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and includes local speakers telling their stories.

There will be a drive-through of the “pre-planted, view-only Promise Garden at 9:30” at the park.

The color of ALZ Promise Flowers symbolizes the effect that Alzheimer’s has had on families.

“Teams are encouraged to decorate vehicles and participate in this parade-style caravan of vehicles, helping to spread awareness of this disease and reaffirm their commitment in the search for a cure,” Knapp said.

“Pre-registrations by teams and by walkers as part of an existing team, or as individuals will be accepted right up to Walk Day,” Knapp said. “No registrations will be taken at Betts Park. All registrations must be completed online at act.alz.org/warren2020.”

Donations will be accepted through the end of the year and incentives for those who reach fundraising milestones will be mailed.

Further information about registering, sponsorships, and donations, is available by emailing jbbrownlee@alz.org or calling Warren Area Walk Chairperson, Lindsay Bevevino at (814) 218-6350.

“We all have a reason to walk,” Knapp said. “Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.”