Renfrew shows tremendous support in Walk for Memories for Alzheimer Society

Money-makers. The Renfrew Memory Makers, kneeling from left, Donald Carty, Kathleen Carty, Margaret Wilson, Emily Carty, Sarah Lombard; and standing, Rebecca Carty, Bonnie Benn, Judy Starr, Stephen Leuty, Janet Springer, Susan Byce, Ben Donnelly, John Wilson, Marietta Pinto, Jane Donnelly, Carolyn Robertson, Andrew Lombard, Larry Wilson and Sheila Pinto, holding son Thomas. Alzheimer Society

Renfrew’s John Wilson was the Walk for Memories’ top individual fundraiser, raising $7,615.
The 18th annual Walk, Ottawa’s premier indoor fundraising walk, held in support of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County on Jan. 27 inside Carleton University Fieldhouse broke all previous records. A total of $249,000 was raised with the participation of 592 walkers and 85 teams.
Wilson was joined by wife Margaret and members of the Renfrew Memory Makers.
The Memory Makes were also the event’s top non-corporate fundraising team, bringing in $15,635.
The top corporate fundraising team was Team Scotiabank. They raised $22,028 that has been topped up by its corporate office with an additional $15,000.
Individually, Chris Donahoe raised the second most at $6,957, and Arnie Vered third with $6,046.
In Ottawa and Renfrew County, there are about 15,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
This number does not include family members and caregivers who must also cope with the effects of dementia.
This year’s Walk for Memories was the third for the Wilsons. John’s parents have Alzheimer’s, so they make the annual trek to support the Alzheimer Society.
Wilson was quick to note, other people locally also participated in the Walk for Memories.
“There are other teams in Renfrew,” he said. “It would be nice to encourage more people to join next year. We are looking to increase the walkers going forward.”
They included Joe and Katrina Crozier, and Sue McGregor and family, who walked for the team McGregor set up at Quail Creek.
- With files from Peter Clark