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Vail Valley Walk sponsor challenges business owners

Vail Valley Walk sponsor challenges business owners
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August 28, 2020
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What is the best way to thank Pelle Eklund for being the new Gold-level sponsor of the 2020 Vail Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s? Stop sitting on your wallet and give something back to your community.

Car-QuestWeb-(1).jpgPelle Eklund, who founded ABC (Carquest) Parts, Inc., in Avon 33 years ago, recently committed to a $10,000 sponsorship of the Vail Valley Walk. But don’t look here for a picture of their smiling faces. They’re not seeking personal attention. They just want others who have experienced good fortune in their lives to share with those less fortunate.

A native of Sweden who moved to Edwards 42 years ago, Pelle has seen the mountain communities grow and prosper, and his business along with it. He believes in sharing his good fortune with others, so instead of spending on advertising for his business, he donates that money to causes he believes make a difference. This year, those causes include the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

A disease that affects 76,000 Coloradans, nearly 6 million people in the U.S. and 47 million worldwide, Alzheimer’s is a personal cause for the Eklunds. Both Pelle and Chris lost their mothers to the disease two years ago, just three days apart from one another. Scientists are continuing their search for a cure for Alzheimer’s, the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

A man with a plan

Pelle believes that if a person doesn’t have a plan, he is unarmed and unprepared for life. When he arrived in Colorado, his plan was to teach skiing – something he did for the next 31 years. While on the slopes, he met his future bride, who was working as a member of the courtesy patrol. After a whirlwind eight-month romance, they married. Within a few years, they opened ABC Parts. 

Now, 39 years later, the Eklunds want to set an example for their peers in the Vail Valley and make a difference in the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease. They want to find a cure.

“I don’t do it for me,” said Pelle. “Instead of running ads for ABC Parts, I give back to the community.” And that’s why Pelle decided to sponsor the Alzheimer’s Association Vail Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
 
One of 13 Walks to End Alzheimer’s held annually in Colorado, the Sept. 26 Vail Valley Walk will be held in a way that everyone can walk separately but together as a result of the pandemic and there is a $130,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds support education, programs and services that are provided at no charge to all Colorado families, as well as research to find a cure. To learn more about the Walk, click here or go to alz.org/walk

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

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