Schuylkill County Walk to End Alzheimer’s looks to surpass fundraising goal at Saturday’s walk
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN – Schuylkill County residents and businesses will be making a sizable donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2017.
In advance of the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, to be held at Schuylkill Haven’s Bubeck Park Saturday morning, over $40,000 has been raised, through donations to the event and through a golf tournament held in August at Barnesville’s Mountain Valley Golf Course.
As of 5:08pm Friday, $40,307.61 had been raised, according to the walk’s website.
Registration for the event begins Saturday at 9:00am, with a ceremony at 10:00am, and the walk beginning at 10:20am.
As of 5:08pm Friday, 180 participants with 48 teams were signed up for the event.
Golf Tournament
On Friday, August 11, the inaugural “A Round To Remember” Golf Classic was held at Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville, with the proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of Schuylkill County.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and it seems that nearly everyone is touched in some way by it. You may know someone who is currently suffering from this devastating disease, their loved ones, a caregiver or perhaps you knew someone who has lost their battle with Alzheimer’s,” Renee Del Valle-Buchanan, director of marketing and admissions at Shenandoah Senior Living Community, said.
Del Valle-Buchanan was also the organizer of the golf tournament, which saw 56 players compete in the 4-person, better ball scramble.
“This tournament was something I have wanted to do for a few years but prior commitments to other organizations that I already belonged to made it difficult for me to commit the time to make it a reality, until now. I am very happy that this year, in just a few short months of planning, we were able to put this together and had such a favorable response.” Del Valle-Buchanan added.
The event, sponsored by CACL Federal Credit Union, Pottsville; and the golf course, was designed to be both affordable while still serving as an effective fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Some events charge more to play or be a sponsor, but we wanted to make it more affordable for everyone and at the same time be able to make a large donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.” Kristie Ondisco, co-chair for the Alzheimer’s Association Schuylkill County said. “For the first year, we did very well raising awareness and funds with most of the money coming from the corporate sponsorships.”
The event will become an annual tournament, with 2018’s date set for Thursday, August 2.
Northern Schuylkill Gives Back
Several Northern Schuylkill companies and organizations are among the donors and sponsors which have assisted efforts to support the Alzheimer’s Association.
The leading fundraising team listed on the event’s website is the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, which has donated $9,845.00.
Shenandoah’s Vito Rinaldi Chevrolet served as a hole-in-one sponsor at the golf tournament fundraiser as well
Still Time to Donate
You can still donate to the cause. Donations are accepted through the event’s website, and will be accepted at Saturday’s walk.
Anyone interested in walking can register in person beginning at 9:00am Saturday.
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