Memorable event coming: Walk to End Alzheimer's

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Making plans for the upcoming Boardman Walk to End Alzheimer’s are, from left, Katie Rusu of Ivy Woods Manor; Helen Paes of the Alzheimer’s Association; Jess Briganti, weather anchor at WFMJ-TV and honorary chair; and Alison Alvino of Maxim Healthcare.

Staff report

BOARDMAN

The Alzheimer’s Association will host its annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 12 at Boardman Park’s Community Center, 375 Boardman-Poland Road.

Check-in is set for 8:30 a.m., and opening ceremonies will kick off the event at 9:30.

The walk urges participants of all ages to help raise awareness of programs and services available to families affected by the disease. It is the country’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.

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Maher

Gina Maher and Kathy Tolich-McFarland, employees of Boardman Wells Fargo Insurance Services, will receive recognition as the 2013 Walk Honorees for their dedication to the association’s mission. The longtime co-workers formed a walk team, The Wells Fargo Remembrance Walkers, seven years ago while each one was caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease.

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Tolich-McFarland

Tolich-McFarland, a Struthers native, helped her family care for her father, Peter Paul Tolich, until his death in 2005. Maher, originally from Houston, moved to Mineral Ridge with her husband and children in 1999. Her mother, also stricken, lived with the Mahers from 2003 until her death in 2006.

Both families received support from each other.

Honorary chair and mistress of ceremonies will be Jess Briganti, weather anchor for WFMJ TV. Her family, too, has been affected by the disease. She saw the effect on her grandmother, who died earlier this year. In her memory, Briganti has developed Team Grams Briganti.

Included in the walk is the Promise Garden, which calls for participants to remember, honor, care and fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Those wishing to participate in the walk may register online at http://act.alz.org/boardman2013. There’s no cost to sign up, but walkers are urged to seek donations from family members, friends and others. Donations may be made specifically to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

For information call Helen Paes, development director, at 330-533-3300 or email hpaes@alz.org.