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This morning, Saturday, Oct. 29, the Annual Walk to De-feet Dementia will take place in downtown Washington.

The two-mile walk is held to show support, raise awareness and funds for families impacted by dementia. Funds raised stay local in our community.

The Washington Daily News has been a sponsor of the walk for years. You may remember some very touching and personal columns we published in years past from those dealing with the challenges of dementia, from family members and caregivers.

Unfortunately, those columns were all-too relatable for far too many of our readers. At some point, most families will face dementia or be touched by it in some form.

Today’s walk is billed as “a morning of celebration and remembrance as we take action and provide hope ensuring families don’t have to walk their dementia journey alone.”

Registration begins at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church at 113 N. Harvey St. in Washington. The walk beings at 10:30 a.m.
The event also includes a raffle and on-site health experts providing valuable information.

As of press time Friday, the Washington Walk to De-Feet Dementia had achieved 90 percent of its $20,000 goal.

If you can’t make the walk, but still feel led to support the cause you can donate to the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. Your donation can have the following impact, according to the 501c3 nonprofit organization:

•$25 provides an hour of respite for an overwhelmed caregiver.
•$50 provides an hour-long online support group.
•$100 provides personalized consultation with one of our compassionate Dementia Navigators.
•$300 gives a person living with dementia a Music and Memory at Home Kit providing connection and joy.
•$500 provides training and materials for new support group facilitators.
•$1,000 provides a free educational webinar to 50 caregivers.

Ashley Vansant is publisher of the Washington Daily News. He can be reached at publisher@thewashingtondailynews.com.