‘Walk to Remember’

VERNON » Students and staff at Madison- Oneida BOCES took park in the annual World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21, participating in the “Walk to Remember” and other fundraising activities.

World Alzheimer’s Day raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, a common form of dementia affecting over 5 million Americans.

This is the first year World Alzheimer’s Day has been observed on the MOBOCES campus. Health Related Careers students took the lead, making plans for the special day since the start of the school year. Their preparation included researching the disease and creating informational posters for the “Walk to Remember” route around campus.

Participants donating at least $1 received a special sticker and purple bracelet before the walk. Everyone was encouraged to add names to the “Honor Wall” if they were walking on behalf of any Alzheimer’s sufferers.

The Health Related Careers students received assistance on the event from fellow students. Carpentry students made stakes and helped place posters around the walking route. Culinary Arts students raised funds by selling brownies. For small donations, the Cosmetology students offered paraffin wax dips, hand massages and manicures with purple polish topped with white polish painted in a ribbon. Health Related Careers students also sold $1 slushies throughout the morning.

Karen Murphy, Health Related Careers instructor, coordinated the event with the students and fellow instructors Jill Kelly and Bonnie Seigers. “This is something close to my heart, because my mom died of Alzheimer’s,” she said. “This is our first walk, and if it is successful, it will be the first of many.”

According to Murphy, the students work with Alzheimer’s patients at local long term care facilities, and planning this event helped them learn more about the disease.

Proceeds will benefit two organizations. “For us, it was important to benefit the school, too. So, fifty percent of the money is going to the Madison-Oneida BOCES food pantry, and fifty percent will go to the Central New York Alzheimer’s Association,” Murphy said.

More than $400 was raised during the morning activities.

PHOTOS COURTESY MADISON-ONEIDA BOCES Students and staff took part in the “Walk to Remember” for World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21, 2016, at the Vernon campus.

Students and staff took part in the “Walk to Remember” for World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21, 2016, at the Vernon campus.