 There is no greater feeling than for seniors to feel as if they are helping others less fortunate, especially when they really are! I made up the "Alzheimer’s Disease Walker-a-thon" many years ago and I am quite proud to have raised thousands of dollars for this disease that hits so close to home for all of us. Most of the money is raised weeks ahead of the event by selling raffle tickets for baskets I make and this year, my administrator was kind enough to donate a new printer. I must say that most of the tickets were sold to the residents. It's an incredible feeling for them to think they have nothing, and then they move in and start helping others!
Our facility has a beautiful courtyard with a track about 1/8th of a mile with a huge gazebo. It is the perfect spot for the walk and the party. During the actual walk, they need to walk or wheel once around the track and I have rest stop benches and water stations along the way with the help of staff. I have a friend who is a DJ and he generously donates his time for the afternoon. Between DJ Joey from "You are the Star Entertainment" on Long Island and myself, we have all kinds of giveaways that day.
I also tell all my friends and residents' families beforehand to sponsor someone like in a real walkathon and "Adopt a Grandparent" for a $10 or more donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. When they give me the donation, I give them the opportunity to come meet a special senior and root them on as they walkaround the track. It is a win-win situation. I try to make this party before the walk an "over the top" event. In the middle of the party, I had DJ Joey play a rock song "Born to be Wild" and had a friend ride me in on his motorcycle! The residents felt young and alive. They were lined up to take pictures posing with the bike and my biker friends, who showed up to root them on as they walked. The music went on right after lunch and I spent the afternoon dancing , throwing necklaces and socks I had left over from a Salvation Army donation. I called the raffle numbers and gave out baskets and little trinkets galore. I spend months asking everyone I know if they have anything from lotions to t-shirts for me to give away. Luckily, I got plenty. You can too if you just ask everyone you know!
I also contact the Alzheimer’s Association and they gave me caps and flashlights. It's different every year. I also make big giant check on a piece of foam core oak tag which I present to the representative of the organization. Way ahead of time, I arrange to have them send me literature and pamphlets to give out and also these "forget me nots" that I sell for donations like they do in supermarkets sometimes, and I plaster them all over the bulletin boards beforehand getting ready for the big event.
At 3PM, I quiet the party down for a few minutes before they get off their seats and actually walk. I give a speech. I don't write it. It comes from my heart. I talk about how rock n roll isn't just music, it's an attitude and the freedom to do the right thing with your life. I tell them that a rockin' attitude is shown when they let themselves put on a stripe on bumblebee day or a pit on watermelon day. Doing those silly things are silly and youthful and rockin'. During my speech, I stress the fact how special they are all for doing the right thing and helping the Alzheimer’s Association and how much I appreciate it and what difference they all made to those less fortunate. Of course, you can make the party your own.
This is probably one of the most satisfying, special days of the year. Residents feel validated and appreciate it, and they really know that "Together, We Can Make a Difference and Help!
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GINGER'S CREATIVE COSTUMES AND ACTIVITIES