Southern Crescent Memory Walk set for Saturday

Consider yourself blessed if you can read this article. If you were a victim of Alzheimer’s disease, you probably couldn’t. If you were a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, you probably wouldn’t have time. Nearly 200,000 Georgians suffer with this dreaded disease, and nearly 350,000 others are affected by it through their roles as family caregivers. 

On Saturday, October 4 you have an opportunity to aid in fighting this disease by participating in the Southern Crescent Memory Walk in Peachtree City.

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.

The purpose of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, is to lighten the burden of caregiving through personalized support, education and training, as well as contributions to research for the prevention, cure and treatment of the disease.

 Participants in the annual fundraiser come from six adjacent counties, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, South Fulton and Spalding, and last year nearly $220,000 was raised to combat this disabling disease. Since the walk’s beginnings in 2000, nearly $1,300,000 has been raised.

Registration for the 5K (3.2 miles) walk along the city’s cart paths is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. Those interested in participating may come as a member of a team, family group, as neighbors, friends or as a single perticipant. Regardless of how many or how few walk in a team, residents are encouraged to come support the association with a donation.

Last year the Southern Crescent Memory Walk saw over 1,000 people participate in this uplifting event, and dogs owners are welcome to bring along their four-legged friends. 

A free continental breakfast will be available in the morning along with entertainment, music and more. This year’s event will again feature the Peachtree Jazz Edition band. Face painting and balloons sculptures will be provided by the Clowns of New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville for the kids in tow. Several 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, is scheduled for just before the walkers depart. 

A warm up, led by World Gym trainers, will take place in the parking lot prior to the start of the walk. Runners will depart at 9:15 a.m. and walkers will get their start at 9:30 a.m. Watering stations are located along the walking route, and golf carts are stationed at various locations to transport participants back to the parking lot if the need arises.

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. Prize drawings will be held before the conclusion of the day’s activities.

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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