Bike relay raises money to help those with Alzheimer

Disease affects more than 5 million Americans today.

Two Atlanta area communities, Belmont Village Buckhead and Belmont Village Johns Creek, hosted Bike to End Alzheimer’s to symbolize the challenging journey those with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers face every day. The all-day bike relay held on June 21 was part of a nationwide initiative across the 24 Belmont Village communities in the U.S.

The 12-hour indoor bike relay was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. For a $10 donation, participants signed up to take turns riding a stationary bike for 15 minutes, many signing up for multiple riding times. The goal was to have a person on a bike at all times. Many participants signed up for multiple riding times. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited the nationwide Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

“As a senior living and memory care provider, we see the daily toll Alzheimer’s disease takes on our residents, their families and caregivers,” said Lorena Grimes, public relations manager of Belmont Village Senior Living. “We’ve led the way in developing researchbased enrichment programs so that our residents can have meaningful, purposeful days.”

Alzheimer’s affects more than 5 million Americans today, a number that is expected to jump to 16 million by 2050, unless a cure is discovered.

This event was a nationwide kick off to help Belmont Village Senior Living national team reach its company-wide goal of raising $100,000 across its 24 communities for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. There are 19 walks organized around Georgia starting on Sept. 16 in Atlanta and LaGrange.

The two Belmont Village Atlanta communities, Belmont Village Johns Creek and Belmont Village Buckhead raised a combined $1,800. That money will go toward the walks scheduled in Gwinnett County and Greater Atlanta. Company-wide, Belmont Village communities raised more than $21,000.

“We raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association in honor and remembrance of our residents and our own family members who have fought this fight, and in hopes that we can help lead the way to a cure,” said Grimes.

Community members can participate in the 2017 Walk to End Alzheimer’s by donating or joining the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s teams.

In other news: Ashton Woods, held its second annual Ashton Woods Sporting Clays Tournament to benefit Autism Speaks Georgia Chapter. The clay shoot, held on April 20, raised $42,863.15 to support the nonprofit dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families throughadvocacy and support.

CONTRIBUTED BY BELMONT VILLAGE Volunteers participated in the Bike to End Alzheimer’s Relay hosted by Belmont Village Senior Living to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s taking place in over 19 cities across Georgia. The 12-hour bike relay...