Team leaders, committee members and supporters of the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County gathered last Thursday afternoon for a Walk to Remember Kickoff event to get pumped up for the 15th annual Walk to Remember, taking place Saturday, Nov. 3 at Riverside Park.
In addition to graciously hosting the event at their lovely facility, Regency Park Independent Living/Harbor Chase Assisted Living and Memory Care helped to kick-start the fundraising effort with a generous $5,000 contribution.
Guests enjoyed refreshments and a delectable assortment of hors d’oeuvres, while brainstorming various fundraising ideas.
“This walk is so important, because all the money stays right here in Indian River County to support these vital programs for our local residents and their caregivers,” said event chair Tiffany Tripson, MA/nursing supervisor at Primary Care of the Treasure Coast’s Sebastian office.
She said she developed a passion for the cause several years ago after learning of the programs and services – all free to residents – that the local organization provides.
“I had a patient that I took care of back in my early days of primary care who had Alzheimer’s and dementia and had no family. I didn’t know about these programs back then; I wish I had,” said Tripson. “It helps so many patients and their caregivers, because a lot of times the caregivers are the ones who take the toll of the stress and the everyday issues. And we have a lot of good programs to help with that.”
“This is the event that keeps our doors open; it always has. It’s absolutely unique for a county to have the resources that you are helping to provide,” said Peggy Cunningham, APAIRC executive director. “Just as a little motivational point, I want to tell you what our goal is this year. It’s $123,000; that is the highest goal we have ever had. And so, it’s time to turn on the heat.”
She added that the increase in goal is needed as their services – and the need for them – have continued to grow.
After thanking Regency/Harbor Chase and an impressive list of other sponsors, Cunningham stressed the importance of their partnerships with local providers.
“I look around the room and I’m seeing partners in the care and the help that we give to the families in this county who are trying to manage the care of someone with dementia,” said Cunningham.
“Whether they are in a facility, whether they are receiving home care, whether they are coming to our programs – whatever it is, we’re all partnering together.”
“What I think is really amazing is how many of us are really networking for the right reasons tonight. We’re all from competitors, but we came together to support what I feel is one of the most important things in the United States to deal with, and that’s Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s,” said Debbie Hollenbach, Regency/Harbor Chase campus executive director.
In addition to assisting Alzheimer and Parkinson patients, the organization also has services for those with essential tremor or who are stroke victims. Its Respite Program offers an opportunity for individuals to enjoy physical and mental activities in a social environment and, more importantly, affords respite to their caregivers. Other programs include memory screening, a Virtual Dementia tour, support groups, movement and exercise, counseling, training and education.
For more information, visit walktorembervero.org.
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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