Alzheimer’s Walk Coming to St. Cloud’s Lake George Complex in October

(KNSI) – Organizers of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s are asking central Minnesota families to mark their calendars for early October.

The St. Cloud walk is set for Saturday, October 3rd at the Lake George Municipal Complex, 1101 7th Street South. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., with the Promise Garden ceremony at 10:00 a.m. and the walk stepping off immediately afterward.

Jennifer Hendrickson with the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota says more than 100,000 Minnesotans are living with the disease, along with the family members caring for them. She says the event is open to anyone touched by dementia, whether they sign up as an individual or form a team, which is free to do.

Hendrickson told KNSI’s Bob Hughes the morning is also personal. “I lost my grandma in 2023. And I think about her every morning at the walk. And I’m proud to be out there representing her and my family as well.”

Doors open an hour to an hour and a half before the ceremony, with vendors and resource booths for affected families, face painting and mascots. The Promise Garden ceremony represents each participant’s connection to the cause and features stories from Minnesotans living with dementia.

Money raised stays at work in the region through research funding, support groups and a helpline. “We have a 24-7 helpline that supports over 200 languages. So anyone can call with questions, big or small.”

As of this week, 127 participants on 38 teams have raised $38,814 toward the St. Cloud walk’s $145,000 goal, or about 27% of the target.

A second regional walk is scheduled for the morning of September 19th at Target Field in Minneapolis, where organizers expect 8,000 to 10,000 people.

Registration information is available by clicking here or contact is Zhou Benson at 320-257-0696.

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