St. Thomas residents are invited to lace up for the cause on Saturday, May 24th, as the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s returns to Pinafore Park.
Hosted by the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners, the event raises critical funds for programs supporting individuals living with dementia and their care partners across Elgin, Middlesex, and Oxford counties.
The St. Thomas walk—one of four happening that day alongside events in London, Woodstock, and Tillsonburg—runs from 10 a.m. to noon and offers a family-friendly morning of walking, music, snacks, and community spirit.
Participants can walk any distance they choose notes Leslie Rand, Director of Development with the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners, as the day “really is about celebrating the people we support and the community that stands behind them.”
Pledges from the walk help to provide free programs in our community, such as Minds in Motion fitness classes, one-on-one in-home recreation visits, and “The Social,” a group program held four times weekly in St. Thomas. Other services include dementia education, social work, counselling, and system navigation.
The symbolic walk of 14,500 steps represents the number of people currently living with dementia across the region—one that continues to grow explains Rand.
The organization aims to raise over $300,000 through this year’s walk, contributing to that $2 million needed annually to sustain services.
Rand adds that while the fundraising side of the day is ever so important, so is the awareness.
Community members can register or donate online, and those unable to attend are encouraged to support a local team or explore volunteer opportunities.
“It’s a powerful way to give back and show that no one is alone in this journey,” shared Rand.
Participants can sign up, create their teams and start fundraising by clicking here.
Written by: K. Freeman
