Totowa, N.J. – As the summer months heat up, so is fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. The Team Challenge, which closes out on July 31, encourages groups to raise $1,000 by the end of the month while earning incentives, such as placard messages along the event route at Weequahic Park in Newark or Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park.
To assist individuals, local businesses, corporations and organizations with their fundraising efforts, the Greater New Jersey Chapter provides a free recruitment/fundraising marketing kit, complete with donation canisters and “Casual for a Cause” stickers. Paper flowers, which can be used to create a display in the walk-day Promise Garden, also are available as a team-organized fundraiser.
The color blue represents someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, purple is symbolic for those who have lost a loved one to the disease, yellow reflects those who are currently supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and orange reflects the efforts of all those who support the cause and vision a world without Alzheimer’s.
As the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest annual fundraising event, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s consists of four different venues in Northern and Central New Jersey each fall. These include the Essex-Hudson-Union Walk on Saturday, September 23rd at Weequahic Park, located at Meeker Avenue & Empire Street in Newark, and the Bergen-Passaic Walk slated for Sunday, October 15th at Overpeck Park, located at 199 Challenger Rd. in Ridgefield Park. Both kick-off with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. and a 10 a.m. start time.
“These two events, along with those being held nationwide and in Bradley Beach and Mercer County, N.J., are recognized by serious and recreational walkers alike as opportunities to raise critical funding on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Tom Legan, Walk Manager. “In total, more than 600 communities nationwide are hosting walks as a call for participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions.”
In addition to providing vital funding for face-to-face and online education programs and worldwide research initiatives, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® events are a critical source of funding for the association’s 24/7 Helpline, a vital round-the-clock, full-service resource for people with memory loss, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the general public. It is the only free, immediate service of its kind available in more than 200 languages. It also is staffed by Alzheimer’s specialists who live in the communities in which they serve as a vital referral resource.
There is no fee to start or join a team or participate as an individual in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Participants need only set a personal fundraising goal, kick-start it with a self donation and reach out to family, friends and colleagues to reach the pre-established fundraising milestone by walk day.
“It isn’t too late to register, start fundraising and compete in the July Team Challenge,” added Legan. “Competition is heating up almost as much as the summer temperatures.” To register for the Essex-Hudson-Union and Bergen-Passaic Walk to End Alzheimer’s or for more information, visit www.alz.org/njwalk.
###
About Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter
Formed in 1980, the Greater New Jersey Chapter is the local arm of the national nonprofit organization with a regional office at 999 Riverview Drive in Totowa (Passaic County). The chapter serves constituents in Central and Northern New Jersey who are affected by Alzheimer’s or a related disorder. The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter is not affiliated with any New Jersey-based Alzheimer’s-related nonprofit or for-profit entity that does not bear the official, registered trademarked Alzheimer’s Association name. For information about the chapter and the disease, visit alz.org/njwalk, or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.