Volunteers sought for Alzheimer's Walk
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 4, 2011 1:46 PM
Although the annual Neuse Region Alzheimer's Walk isn't until October, it's not too early to recruit leadership and committee members, organizers say.
"Last year, the week before the walk I had people just calling me outright out of the blue, wanting to help," recalls Anne Paugh, outreach and community development director of Alzheimer's N.C., Inc.
It would be ideal to garner that kind of support during the planning stages, she noted.
"We are getting organized and I'm looking for folks who would love to serve on the committee, are very passionate about Alzheimer's and are willing to help," she said. "I know there are people in the community that don't know that these opportunities are available."
Mrs. Paugh began volunteering herself in 2001 with the former eastern chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and coordinated the first five Memory Walk events in Goldsboro.
This past year, the organization disaffiliated from the national group, ensuring that 100 percent of funds raised remain in eastern N.C. Funding is designated for education, services and programs for families, advocacy and research.
This year's Neuse Region Alzheimer's Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, at Wayne Community College. Theme will be "Remember When -- the 1950s."
In addition to committee members, Mrs. Paugh said she is seeking strong leadership, including someone to chair the walk.
While the event is still more than four months away, she said she typically starts working on it during the spring.
The first organizational meeting is being planned for May 19, with the location to be announced. Meetings for team leaders will be held during June and August, she added.
"I'm just trying to reach people in the community that don't find out until we do publicity toward the end and at that point it's almost too late," she said. "I need people to come to the meeting if they're interested in serving on the organizational committee."
For more information on the upcoming event or any related Alzheimer's services, call 252-933-4617.