Group walks to end Alzheimer’s amid format changes

This year the Yuba City Walk to End Alzheimer’s looks very different from the traditional format, but that has not deterred one local group from continuing their fundraising efforts.

“This year, not only did we meet but we exceeded our goal of $4,000,” said Chantel Gildea, executive director of Summerfield Senior Living.

The Summerfield’s Serenity Walkers – a group of residents and staff from the Summerfield Senior Living facility in Yuba City – have raised 139 percent of their goal, or $5,551.50 through a variety of creative fundraising efforts after the annual walk in Yuba City was modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brenda Williams, marketing director at Summerfield, said the residents at the facility see their involvement with the walk as a necessity to support not just their fellow residents but all those living within the community.

“People who don’t understand Alzheimer’s disease look at it as something that’s sad,” said Williams. “We look at it as a great opportunity to help families and their loved ones transition through one of the most challenging times of their lives. Our residents with Alzheimer’s are some of our favorite people to work with. It’s a great pleasure when we see them smile because we know who they are today, and we celebrate that.”

Gildea said each year the Summerfield’s Serenity

Walkers team grows and, as one of the biggest outings for residents, those that participate look forward to it every year.

“With COVID we were all prepared if the walk was canceled but that was not going to stop us,” said Gildea. “We planned our own walk for our residents and the team at a park here in Yuba City. Then the fires started so that was canceled, too, so we did the next best thing and did our own walk here at Summerfield which turned out to be even better.”

In addition to the walk, the team from Summerfield also facilitated a car wash, a “Casual for a Cause” event where facility staff donated $2 and to wear jeans and a Walk to End Alzheimer’s related shirt on the day of the walk instead of their required uniform and a Walk shirt auction

where shirts designed by Summerfield memory care resident Suzie Watkins were sold to staff and family members.

Gildea said the team also held an online auction via Facebook, selling items that had been donated to the facility.

“This was a learning experience for us for next year and a success all in one,” said Gildea.

The most recent fundraiser was a yard sale last weekend, which Gildea said raised over $1,000.

“Whatever doesn’t sell in the auction we put in the yard sale,” said Williams. “It’s a lot of fun because we don’t put prices on any of the items, we just let people donate what they’d like. Some people will give us a quarter for something really nice, but others will give us $100 and walk away with nothing. In the end, it

all works out.”

Shellie Gregoire, local walk manager, said as of Thursday the local walk has raised $41,511 but the donation period remains open through the end of the year.

According to Gregoire, the pre-pandemic goal was set at $90,000 this year, an increase of nearly $20,000 over the $70,387 raised in total last year.

“We continue to encourage additional fundraising through the end of the year,” said Gregoire. “Every dollar makes a difference this year as the money supports programs and services for families and caregivers, as well as research.”

For more information or to donate, visit act.alz.org/ yubacity2020.