Annual fund raiser takes place Saturday

It started in the fall of 2000 as an alternative fund raising opportunity for south-siders wanting to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association without driving up to Atlanta every year for their annual Memory Walk. Now, seven years later and over $1 million raised and donated to the association, the Southern Crescent Memory Walk will take place Saturday morning in Peachtree City at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater.

The event was first organized by Peachtree City co-founder Floy Farr after his wife, Bruce Farr, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.

Prior to the first Southern Crescent Walk, Farr and the staff of Ashley Glen traveled to Atlanta to participate in the Atlanta Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. The early registration time of 7 a.m. made it difficult for many to participate in the annual event. This led Farr to ask the Greater Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for permission to start an annual walk for those in the Southern Crescent.

The beautiful cart paths found throughout Peachtree City made for a perfect location for a new walk.

The first walk consisted of 61 teams from Clayton, Coweta and Fayette counties. Over 450 people participated in the inaugural event, which raised over $73,000. Elaine Gaillard, marketing director at Ashley Glen, and Farr recruited many of their friends and associates to serve on the various committees to organize and conduct the walk.

In 2001 Fred Brown, the former mayor of Peachtree City, and Iola Snow, a retired benefits administrator for Big Star Foods, partnered together to become co-chairpersons for the event, a responsibility they share to this day.

Brown and Snow were no strangers to the work of non-profits; Brown worked with the Heart Association for 12 years while Snow served on the Greater Atlanta March of Dimes Walk America Team Walk Committee for 10 years.

Over the years, the annual Southern Crescent Alzheimer’s Memory Walk has seen steady growth. In 2002 Spalding County joined the walk and in 2003, Henry County followed suit. Last year’s walk had over 1,300 participants and raised $200,165, exceeding organizers’ goal of 1,200 participants and $125,000, for Alzheimer’s research and programs. That total put the group’s sum total in donations over the million dollar mark.

The event was bittersweet for many as it was the first year without Farr, who passed away just nine days before last year’s event.

The money raised each year is donated to the Georgia Chapter of the national Alzheimer’s Association which is, in turn, used for research and also given back to the Southern Crescent community in the form of programs and help given to patients and their caretakers.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life.

Over 5.1 million Americans today are affected by this horrible disease that strikes individuals primarily over the age of 65.

Registration for the event will be held from 8-9:15 a.m., and those registering are encouraged to come out early. Runners will start at 9:15 a.m. and the 3.1 mile walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. The walking path takes place along wooded cart paths and a .2 mile walk is available for the physically challenged.

This year’s event will again feature the Peachtree Jazz Edition band as well as a clowns from New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville for the kids in tow. Several new sponsors will be at this year’s event and will have tables set up prior to the walk.

A balloon release with tags attached with the names of loved ones will be featured for the first time this year as well. Those in attendance are encouraged to sign the annual “Memory Board” to recognize or honor those afflicted.

As in past years, participants will have the opportunity to warm-up for the walk at 9:15 a.m. with an organized warm-up session.

Golf carts will be stationed along the route to pick up walkers with tired legs or sore feet, and water bottles will be distributed to walkers along the route.

After the walk, participants are encouraged to stick around and enjoy the free lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City.

Raffle tickets will be sold for two sets of two tickets for travel on Delta Air Lines to anywhere in the continental U.S. The drawing will be held after the walk. A drawing will also be held for prizes donated by area businesses.

Participants who have not registered online are asked to come early to register the day of the event. Whether you have registered or not, all members of the community are encouraged to come out to support the event.

For more information visit www.southernmemorywalk.org.

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