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Published: 8/19/2012 | Updated: 6/17/2013
By STEVE EIGHINGER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
A year ago, the local Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraiser generated a record $70,000. Breeana Hill thinks this time around the event can do even better. "Our goal is $80,000," said Hill, who works out of the Quincy Area Branch of the Alzheimer's Association and coordinates all eight walks within the Central Illinois chapter of the organization. This year's walk is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Clat Adams Park. Since the event moved from a Saturday morning to a Thursday night several years ago it has more than doubled the number of participants and money raised. "Having it on a weeknight has definitely been a key," Hill said. "People can go right from work to the event. On the weekend at that time of year there is always so much going on and so much competition for (an event like this)." The 2011 Quincy walk drew 688 walkers. Hill thinks this year's event will top 700. "Part of the reason we are seeing the increases like we have is the added participation from younger people, not only at the high school and college level, but young adults," Hill said. Hill said this year Quincy Notre Dame, Quincy High School and John Wood Community College all are entering multiple teams. The Young Professionals service group is also on board for the event, joining some of the older and more established service clubs in town in taking a role in the walk. Many of the walk's participants have a definite link to Alzheimer's, much like Kristen Kanoy of Quincy. Her aunt, Jane Fryrear, died from the disease seven years ago. "She was a very special lady," Kanoy said in an Alzheimer's Association release. "Helping with the walk was a way for me to honor her memory." Kanoy was part of the Hope Walks team in 2011, the top individual team fundraiser at $2,942. The Ruth Shaw Family ($2,735) and Quincy Medical Group ($2,243) were next in line. The top individual fundraiser was Hazel Mills ($1,683), followed by Martha Nall ($1,345) and Kanoy ($1,190). For more information about the walk, call the Quincy Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at (217) 228-111 or go to the www.alz.org/illinoiscentral website. -- seighinger@whig.com/221-3377
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