Alzheimer’s Association kicks off Walk To End Alzheimer’s®: Local named Salute to Senior Service® award winner

The Alzheimer’s Association invites Vermont residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Shelburne Museum in Shelburne. Additional community Walks are scheduled in Bennington, Brattleboro, Rutland, and Saint Johnsbury.

To launch the statewide Walk season, the Alzheimer’s Association held a community kick-off celebration on Thursday, Aug. 7 to announce this year’s fundraising goal of $200,000.

“Four years ago we brought the Vermont Walk to End Alzheimer’s to Shelburne Museum and raised $35,000. Every year since then we’ve doubled the number of participants and funds raised for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs” stated Martha Richardson, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter. “More than 11,000 Vermonters have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia and nearly 33,000 Vermonters serve as caregivers to someone with dementia. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites us all, for one day, in a movement to reclaim the future for our families, our friends, and our community.”

At the Walk to End Alzheimer’s kick-off event, Patrice Thabault, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, announced Shelburne resident, Dr. Daniel Bean, as the Vermont winner of its 2014 Salute to Senior Service® Contest. In recognition of his many contributions over the years as a stalwart volunteer, board member, and community advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter, the Alzheimer’s Association was presented with a $500 donation on his behalf.

“Dr. Bean has dedicated much of his volunteer efforts to realizing our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s” stated Patrice Thabault. “His primary efforts have focused on advocacy issues. He has been the chapter’s principal participant in our annual Advocacy Forum in Washington DC for 7 plus years and has worked with Senators Leahy and Sanders as well as Congressman Welch to enlist their support of legislative issues affecting the 33,000 plus Vermonters impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia.”

To start or join a team today, visit the Alzheimer’s Association alz.org/walk. To learn more about disease and available resources, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7, toll-free Helpline at (800) 272-3900.