Due to COVID-19, the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s will look a little different this year from years past.

  However, the goal of event organizers remains the same- “to raise awareness and fundraise to fight Alzheimer’s disease.”

  “Despite everything going on, our mission and the commitment is still there. We can’t stop because of everything that’s going on,” said Snapper Freeman, Walk Manager and Staff Partner with the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee.

  A number of changes have been made to the walk this year to ensure that the walk can still proceed as planned and that staff, volunteers, and participants remain safe and healthy during the event.

  “We’ve had to recreate and really get creative and think outside the box on everything because of COVID,” said Yasna Grainger, Co-Marketing Chair on the committee for the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

  On Saturday, September 12, the day of the event, rather than gathering in a large group to walk together, participants will be encouraged “to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks, or trails within Henry County.”

  Due to the limit on large gatherings, participants will use mobile apps to virtually connect to special walk events along with those registered for the walk through Henry County.

  Additionally, due to the virtual nature of the walk, participants in other cities, counties and states can register their walks through Henry County.

  “Anyone has the opportunity to join,” expressed Freeman. “If you have family members in other states, they can join now as well.”

  On the day of the walk, participants will be able to stream the opening ceremony on their smartphones, tablets and, computers.

  Local speakers will be featured during the opening ceremony, along with  a presentation of promise flowers “to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”

  Alzheimer’s Association staff and volunteers will also organize a Promise Garden in a “view-only format” in order “to honor all those impacted by Alzheimer’s.”

  In years past, participants would carry their flowers with them on their walk in honor of those they support and then plant the flowers together in a Promise Garden at the conclusion of their walk.

  “Unfortunately, we can’t do that this year. But we’re going to do a view-only, drive-by Promise Garden where people can still get in their cars and they’ll be able to drive by and see flowers, see signs,” said Freeman. “There will be names written on some of the flowers of who they support. It’s really that visual so people can still see the flowers and get the impact from it.”

  In lieu of flowers, each individual that signs up for the walk this year will receive a flag that they can display in their front yard or in their windows to show their support and to raise awareness for the cause within their communities.

  “Raising awareness is just so important because you don’t realize how many families in the community are affected by this disease. So, it really hits close to home,” said Grainger.

  Participants, in teams or individually, will also be fundraising within the community prior to and during the walk to benefit “Alzheimer’s care, support and research.”

  Despite setbacks due to COVID-19, walk organizers are hopeful that they will reach their fundraising goal.

  “I’m always very grateful for everyone who has supported the walk and who have supported Henry County. Henry County is one of the most giving counties I have ever seen. They really rally and stand behind these events,” said Grainger. “But I am not worried about the numbers. I think we will reach our goal. ”

  The Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s currently has 25 teams signed up for the walk, but are looking for more teams or individuals to participate.

  This is Henry County’s third year participating in the national event.

  To register to participate in the walk, for more information, or to make a donation to the Henry County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/walk.