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About Memory Walk
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's. Memory Walk is the Alzheimer's Association's signature fundraising event with over 400 participating communities across the country. When you participate in our Memory Walks, please know that every dollar you raise helps fund our valuable programs and services to those who are battling Alzheimer's disease in southwest Missouri.
Memory Walks take place during August, September, and October. Last year, we hosted eight walks in communities throughout our 29-county area. Participants walk individually or with a team and raise money by asking their family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to sponsor them by making a donation to the SWMO Chapter.
Walker news
Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our 2007 walks.
Choose a walk near you Sign up on-line
Lebanon- Saturday, August 23rd- Atchley Park http://memorywalklebanon.kintera.org/
Joplin- Saturday, September 6th_ Northpark Mall - Food Court http://memorywalkjoplin.kintera.org/
Halfway- Saturday, September 20th_ Halfway Public Schools http://memorywalkhalfway.kintera.org/
Branson- Saturday, September 20th_ Shoppes at Branson Meadows http://memorywalkbranson.kintera.org/
Springfield- Saturday, September 27th_ Phelps Grove Park http://memorywalkspringfield.kintera.org/
Forming a team for the Memory Walk can enhance your experience and multiply your impact on the fight against Alzheimer's. Together, as a team, you are a force much greater than what you can accomplish alone.
Corporate Teams
Join the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® Corporate Team Initiative and make a difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's, as well as in your business.
1. It makes great business sense. When your corporation or organization joins the Memory Walk in your area, you're giving back building ties in the community.
2. It builds morale. Bring employees together to fight for a common cause, and create team spirit in your organization. Teamwork also empowers your employees in the name of your organization.
3. Join a movement together. Give your employees an opportunity to be a part of the national movement to end Alzheimer's and give back to their community.
4. It's fun! Memory Walk is an inspiring experience, knowing that, together, you are making a difference.
Family Teams
When you ask friends or family members to join you on a team, ask them to ask others to join as well. Before you know it, that little bit of courage you put into asking someone to join you has grown into five, ten, maybe as many as a hundred people who would not otherwise have known about Memory Walk.
1. It multiplies your impact on the cause. A Japanese proverb says, "None of us is as smart as all of us." Bring together a group of people to raise funds together and you increase exponentially what you can do alone.
2. It builds your bond. Bring your family members, classmates or neighbors together to fight for a common cause, and create team spirit in your community.
3. Join a movement together. Give your friends and family an opportunity to help build awareness about Alzheimer’s.
4. It’s a moving experience – and fun! Memory Walk has many ways to honor a loved one.
Click here to access our Team Captain Guide
Fundraising Tools
Registration form
Together, we're working toward ending Alzheimer's. Raising funds and raising awareness are crucial to this effort. You have the support of your local Alzheimer's Association behind you.
Your first step: Set up your personal fundraising HQ. Your HQ is a web page on a Memory Walk site where you can post your story, upload a personal image, send e-mails to solicit donations, download donation forms and track your fundraising progress. Go to your local Memory Walk Web site and log in to access your HQ. If you need any assistance setting up your HQ, please contact dalena.radabaugh@alz.org.
Your second step: Draft your fundraising letter. These are a good starting point, but be sure to personalize your letter with your own reasons for participating, told in your own style.
The golden rule of fundraising: You raise money when you ask for it. You don't when you don't ask. It sounds simple, but it's true. If you ask someone for $50, you might get $50, or you could get less. But if you ask someone for $5, you might get $5, but you won't get any more than that. You don't lose anything if someone says "no" to your request, or gives less than you ask for. But you are losing out on a potential donation if you don't ask in the first place.
Don't forget to ask your donors if their employer offers matching gifts.
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Why Walk?
Honor someone you love…
Since the SWMO Chapter's first Memory Walk in 1991, Hazel Bellamy, former Springfield resident who now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been one of its strongest supporters and walks to honor the memory of her husband, Carl "Tye" Bellamy, who battled Alzheimer's disease for seven years. "I have so many reasons for walking each year," she said. "Mainly, I know what people go through."
Vividly describing one morning in August 1987, she said "He awoke at 4 a.m. very confused and frightened. He didn't know who he was or where he was. He did know me and I was able to comfort him."
Although they had recognized his problems with memory loss prior to that morning and had consulted doctors for help, that morning marked a tragic turn in his condition that Hazel described as "the beginning of the nightmare that continued until his death in 1994." But from this very personal tragedy, Hazel has created hope for many others. She has raised more than $47,000 since her first Memory Walk to help other caregivers and individuals struggling with Alzheimer's disease.
"When I first learned about Memory Walk, I remember thinking ‘this is something positive I can do to help,'" she said. "I knew at the time that it wouldn't help Tye, but it would help others."
YOU make a difference in people's lives! Every step you take and every dollar you raise supports our Chapter's programs that make a critical difference and hopefully improves the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Raise public awareness...
When you participate in Memory Walk, you are doing more than helping us raise money. Memory Walks help raise the level of public awareness and understanding of Alzheimer's disease, encouraging public support of the fight against it.
