October 22nd was a beautiful, autumn morning (that felt like spring!) when thousands of our Alzheimer’s community gathered for the 18th Annual Memory Walk – a two-mile fundraising jaunt through scenic Riverside Park that helped raise a record-breaking $700,000 to fund programs and services offered by the NYC Chapter. Masters of Ceremonies Bill Ritter of WABC-TV Channel 7 and Alice Stockton-Rossini of 1010 WINS radio were joined by friends David Hyde Pierce and New York Mets mascot “Mr. Met” who together kicked off the opening ceremony and were on hand to present our Memory Walk 2006 Special Awards.

Lou-Ellen Barkan, Chapter President and CEO, said, “This has been a record-breaking year for Memory Walk, and I would ike to thank all of you for that—our chairpersons, guests of honor, sponsors, walkers, donors, and volunteers—for the remarkable time and energy you have devoted to helping make this event such a success. As you all know, in the next 50 years, one in five New Yorkers will either have Alzheimer’s or be caring for a loved one who does. When we combine our efforts and stand together as New Yorkers, as caregivers, as an Alzheimer’s community, we can make a difference.”

Commissioner Méndez-Santiago presents the
Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor

Commissioner Edwin Méndez- Santiago, NYC Department for the Aging, presented, on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg, a Proclamation declaring, October 22, 2006 Memory Walk Day in New York City. Singer and former caregiver, Coretta Davis, inspired the crowd with a beautiful vocal performance of songs including “If You Could Remember,” which brought more than a few tears to the audience’s eyes. Tami Schneider, Women in Action Chair, and Meghann McKale, Junior Committee President, spoke to the crowd about the importance of participation in Chapter events, in advocacy, and fundraising opportunities like Memory Walk. Lee Honickman warmed up the crowd with an aerobic work-out.

Singer Coretta Davis
dazzled us in song

Promptly at 11am, Lou-Ellen, David Hyde Pierce and “Mr. Met” cut the ribbon on Memory Walk 2006 and thousands of mothers, fathers, children, teenagers, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and grandparents took off on the walking course to honor those they have cared for, or are caring for, with dementia.

Our KIDZ KORNER was a tremendous hit for kids of all ages, and our
4-legged walkers came out wagging. Our 2006 Memory Wall, sponsored by Fairfield Greenwich Group, and our 2006 Children’s Memory Wall, sponsored by Team Eisai, began the day completely bare, but by the end of Memory Walk were completely covered with loving messages, mementos and photographs of family members and friends who have had dementia, or are currently affected. More than 200 Memory Walk 2006 teams filled Riverside Park with banners and T-shirts letting everyone know why they walked!

A “Giving Tree” Grew in Riverside Park

Since raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease is paramount in our fight, we are grateful to Bill Ritter and WABC-TV, and Alice Stockton-Rossini and 1010 WINS radio for Memory Walk public service announcements on the air and on their Web sites. Following the Walk, we heard Lou-Ellen on 1010 WINS and WCBS radio; saw video of our walkers on WABC Eyewitness News, UPN 9 News and NY 1 News; and charming photographs appeared in Monday’s Daily News and Newsday.

Masters of Ceremonies Bill Ritter & Alice Stockton-Rossini
with 2006 Top Fundraiser, Stuart Post

Once again we were so proud to have the support of The Empire State Building and the Con Edison Building, illuminated in purple for “The Week to Remember,” culminating on Memory Walk Day.

Many, many thanks to all of our Memory Walk 2006 walkers and donors. And to all of our wonderful volunteers – a heartfelt thank you. Without your help we would not have had our most successful Memory Walk!

Amid the splendor of autumn foliage along the mighty Hudson River in one of Manhattan’s most spectacular parks, our supporters walked for relatives and friends, for memories, for awareness and for hope.

“Didi’s All Star Girls”

We thank you and hope that you will join us next fall for Memory Walk 2007!