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Walk/Swim/Skate raises $12,174 for Alzheimer’s
By Jil Schult, Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 12:05 AM EST
Six-year-old Katie Cowan and her mom, Randi, took to the ice as novices, but they had a purpose, skating with Katie’s great-grandmother in mind who has Alzheimer’s.
GAYLORD — Though the fundraising efforts remain open through November, following Saturday’s Gaylord Memory Walk/Swim/Skate for Alzheimer’s, numbers are already up from last year.
“We leave our fundraising open for the month of November because it is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month,” said Dona Wishart, assistant director Otsego County Commission on Aging (OCCOA) and chairperson of the Gaylord Memory Walk/Swim/Skate for Alzheimer’s.
As of Saturday’s event, the community raised $12,174 — up approximately $2,000 from last year.
“We are still receiving donations,” said Wishart. “We might well hit $15,000 before we’re done.”
With approximately 50 people in attendance, Friday’s candlelight vigil saw about twice as many participants as last year. An estimated 100-150 donors flowed in and out of the Walk/Swim/Skate all Saturday morning.
“We leave our fundraising open for the month of November because it is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month,” said Dona Wishart, assistant director Otsego County Commission on Aging (OCCOA) and chairperson of the Gaylord Memory Walk/Swim/Skate for Alzheimer’s.
As of Saturday’s event, the community raised $12,174 — up approximately $2,000 from last year.
“We are still receiving donations,” said Wishart. “We might well hit $15,000 before we’re done.”
With approximately 50 people in attendance, Friday’s candlelight vigil saw about twice as many participants as last year. An estimated 100-150 donors flowed in and out of the Walk/Swim/Skate all Saturday morning.
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“Many come to drop off donations, have a cup of coffee, visit,” said Wishart. “It’s just a community happening and gathering — a positive, upbeat fun-loving crowd.”
Among the collaborative partners at the event were Tendercare of Gaylord, Hospice of Michigan, Vital Care of Gaylord, Aspen Ridge Retirement Village, Wright and Filippis, Otsego Haus Adult Day Services, Otsego Memorial Hospital and Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter.
Wishart is thankful to the volunteers and community support for the project.
“We enjoyed the facility usage of the Otsego County Sportsplex and event coverage by the Gaylord Herald Times, Eagle 101.5 and Weekly Choice,” Wishart added.
Additionally, Biggby Coffee (formerly Beaner’s Coffee) donated the coffee and B.C. Pizza manned the concession stands.
Raffle winners were Tom Wagar of Gaylord, $1,000; Bill Dawson, $300; and L.A. Coan of Mancelona, $100. Seven prizes of $50 also were disbursed.
“Our purpose is to raise awareness about the disease, services available to support family caregivers, and money for research,” said Wishart.
To donate to the Gaylord Memory Walk/Swim/Skate for Alzheimer’s, call the Otsego County Commission on Aging at 732-1122.
Contact Jil Schult at 748-4518 or jil@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
Among the collaborative partners at the event were Tendercare of Gaylord, Hospice of Michigan, Vital Care of Gaylord, Aspen Ridge Retirement Village, Wright and Filippis, Otsego Haus Adult Day Services, Otsego Memorial Hospital and Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter.
Wishart is thankful to the volunteers and community support for the project.
“We enjoyed the facility usage of the Otsego County Sportsplex and event coverage by the Gaylord Herald Times, Eagle 101.5 and Weekly Choice,” Wishart added.
Additionally, Biggby Coffee (formerly Beaner’s Coffee) donated the coffee and B.C. Pizza manned the concession stands.
Raffle winners were Tom Wagar of Gaylord, $1,000; Bill Dawson, $300; and L.A. Coan of Mancelona, $100. Seven prizes of $50 also were disbursed.
“Our purpose is to raise awareness about the disease, services available to support family caregivers, and money for research,” said Wishart.
To donate to the Gaylord Memory Walk/Swim/Skate for Alzheimer’s, call the Otsego County Commission on Aging at 732-1122.
Contact Jil Schult at 748-4518 or jil@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
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