Local man continues walk to end Alzheimer’s
DUBOIS — The Tri County Walk to End Alzheimer’s was held on Sunday, Oct. 10, in DuBois City Park at the Edward V. Cherry Amphitheater.
Previously the DuBois Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the name was changed this year to include Jefferson and Elk counties.
Tom Berryhill of Big Run, has been one of the biggest supporters of the walk since his wife, Sonya, died from the terrible disease eight years ago and he continued on as a volunteer at Christ the King Manor for many years.
According to the event’s website, “the Walk to End Alzheimers is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.”
Berryhill, who has always finished in first place as the top collector, at age 86 did it again this year, as he raised $7,500, Helen McKendree raised $3,000 with the Christ the King Manor Memory Warriors. The total raised by the rest of the team was $12,000, which was good enough to finish first once again.
“I’ll be at a restaurant or out doing something and people will hand me money, $10, $20 or $50,” Berryhill said.
Berryhill said $7,500 is the highest amount that he ever raised. Through his participation in the walk, he has raised over $30,000.
Even last year, when the walk was not held because of the pandemic, he raised $6,000 to end Alzheimer’s disease.
“I want to thank everyone that helped me and our team to raise that much money,” Berryhill said. “We’ll continue the fight and will raise what we can to put an end to this debilitating disease.”
The total raised so far this year is $36,438, which is 70 percent of the walk’s goal of $52,000.
For more information, go to https://act.alz.org/.
Berryhill said he’s already begun raising money for next year’s walk.