The Walk in Warren was one of 600 held nationally. They looked different this year. The traditional gathering and festivities were not held, due to COVID-19.

“This year the Alzheimer’s Association and the local Walk committee invited people to walk as small teams of friends and family as others in the community did the same,” Warren Area Walk Committee Member Linda Knapp said. “We all skill walked and raised fund for the same purpose – a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementias. Walk to End Alzheimer’s was everywhere – on every sidewalk, track or trail, and in every park.”

Master of Ceremonies Dale Bliss handled the virtual opening and Promise Garden ceremonies.

“Featured were local folks with a connection to this disease and the stories they shared about advocacy, caregiving, loss of a loved one, and as one diagnosed with the disease,” Knapp said. “It even featured one little guy with a white flower, indicating that we eagerly await the first white flower – signifying the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.”

Photo submitted to Times Observer Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair Jenn Brownlee, and Committee Members Lindsay Bevevino and Ron Pazderski express their thanks to all involved.

The ceremony may be viewed at https://act.alz.org/warren2020, Walk Details, Mainstage Events, Watch Now.

“Thank you to our generous national and local sponsors, registered participants, volunteers, and donors for all your help and support to get one step closer to ending Alzheimer’s Disease,” Knapp said. “Because of you, we have raised over $15,000 and counting.”

Donations may still be sent directly to Alzheimer’s Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA, 17110 through December 15, 2020. Donors may indicate the team name and member that the donation supports.

“We proudly recognize the 22 teams which totaled 94 registered participants and we congratulate our Grand Champion raising over $1,000 and 5 Champions raising over $500 each in donations,” Knapp said. ” Additionally, we congratulate everyone who participated and contributed in any way to this year’s Walk here in Warren.”

“Through these efforts, awareness is raised of the disease and hope is given to end Alzheimer’s Disease, the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., for which there is no cure… yet,” she said. “This disease is relentless, but so are we. We are looking forward to Walk 2021 — please join us then.”