The Sarnia-Lambton Alzheimer's Society is hoping to raise $45,000 during Sunday's in-person walk in order to support its various programs and services.
Manager of Fund Development and Communications Marie Marcy-Smids said so far about 40 teams and several individuals have registered for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's Sarnia-Lambton fundraiser.
However, people can sign-up and offer a pledge the morning of the walk. Marcy-Smids said it's recommended unregistered participants show up around 8:15 a.m. as the walk itself will start at 9 a.m.
"People are more engaged when it's an in-person event. We did two years of virtual -- walk your way and do your own thing throughout the month of May, and that was fun but it's not as fun as coming together with everybody," she said. "It's fun for our clients to come out and do something physical as well."
New this year, breakfast will be served after the walk at around 9:45 a.m. For $10, participants will get a breakfast bagel from Bagel Factory, a fruit cup, orange juice, and coffee provided by Starbucks (Cathcart location).
Aside from the breakfast, there are also a couple more new initiatives included in this year's fundraiser.
"We have rock painting. So it's a lady who actually paints rocks for different planters at DeGroot's and she's going to come do rock painting with the kids," said Marcy-Smids. "We've got seniors bike rides [as well]. There are people who enjoy bikes but maybe because of mobility issues or dementia and balance issues, they can't ride a bike. Well, this is a bike that somebody fuels for them."
The last in-person Walk for Alzheimer's event was held in 2019 with roughly 300 attendees.
"It's been interesting this year to try to kind of woo people back to doing an in-person [event] but it's outdoors and it's a beautiful walk route," said Marcy-Smids.
The walk will begin from Suncor Agora Centennial Park, toward Sarnia Bay Marina and will circle through Rainbow Park and back.
Alzheimer's and other dementias affect over 9,000 people in Sarnia-Lambton, including those diagnosed and their families.
Marcy-Smids said many of their programs benefit the patient and their families or care providers, and about half of their operating funds come from fundraising initiatives.
Most recently, the local Alzheimer Society started an on-site day program.
"For me, I am a care partner. My mom has dementia and my mom goes to a day program and I know that I can go to work, I know she's being well cared for, her brain is being stimulated, she's safe," said Marcy-Smids. "That program, we're funded one day a week from the ministry; the second day, we're dipping into our reserves to fund that day. It really needs to be an operation five days a week so that's our goal, to raise enough money over the year from various events and to lobby for more money from the ministry."
Those who participate in Sunday's walk are encouraged to share pictures to social media, using the hashtags #igwalkforalz and #ourconnetionsmatter.
The event is expected to wrap up at 1 p.m.