Rehoboth Walk to End Alzheimer’s, events set Oct. 21, 22

The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter will host its 20th annual Rehoboth Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Saturday, Oct. 22 at Grove Park. Sean Streicher, field correspondent/host of WBOC-TV's “Delmarva Life” show returns as emcee. More than 300 walkers decked out in the Alzheimer's Association's signature purple will begin checking in at 8:30 a.m., participate in the Promise Garden Ceremony at 9:45 a.m. and Walk to End Alzheimer's at 10:15 a.m. Many will be accompanied by their four-legged friends.

The money that individual walkers and teams raise will help fund Alzheimer’s research, plus the free care and support programs the chapter offers to as many as 26,000 people and their families in the state of Delaware who are living with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder. “Our teams and individual walkers have gone above and beyond to ensure this year is a success,” said Tawnya Dennis, 2016 Rehoboth Walk chair. “We really hope to not only meet our fundraising goal, but to surpass it.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter is already close to its goal: The day of the walk, the organization will be presented with a $10,000 check from Dewey Beer Co., which hosted a golf tournament in May to raise funds for its Walk to End Alzheimer’s team. So far, about 60 registered Rehoboth Walk teams have already raised more than half of the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter's goal to raise at least $138,000.

“Many of our walkers have loved ones living with some form of dementia," said Michelle Vorpahl, the Delaware Valley Chapter's Walk Coordinator Delaware/South Jersey. "They recognize the need for additional research for a cure or treatment, as well as the free programs and services we offer to them and their families like our 24/7 Helpline, support groups, early-stage initiatives and many others. We appreciate their fundraising efforts and donations.”

On the day of the Rehoboth Walk to End Alzheimer's, participants will be treated to a pre-walk, action-packed kids’ kickoff; a kids’ corner featuring face painting and other fun activities; live music provided by soft rock band Imagine; and more than a dozen raffle items.

After the walk there will be a family-friendly celebration with happy hour specials at Dewey Beer Co. Brewery and Kitchen in Dewey Beach. Dewey Beer Co. will donate 10 percent of their proceeds to the Rehoboth Walk to End Alzheimer’s. To receive credit, walkers must wear their official Walk to End Alzheimer’s T-shirt and/or their registration wristband.

In addition, before the walk, the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter will host Bank Night from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at Papa Grandes, 210 Second St. in Rehoboth Beach, where anyone is welcome to sign up for the walk in person, make a donation, drop off funds they’ve already raised and pick up their official walk T-shirt in advance.

“Each walker who raises and/or donates at least $100 for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is entitled to an official T-shirt, and all walkers who officially register for the walk receive a wristband,” said Jaclyn Adkins, the chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s consultant. “The great part about Bank Night is you’re able to pick them up, turn in the funds you’ve raised before everyone else and bypass the check-in lines the day of the walk. You just show up, enjoy the ceremony and walk for a great cause!”

For more information, go to alz.org/delval or call the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.