Ridgefield is a standout town when it comes to raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease — with children among those leading the way.
With last year’s Kids Walk for Alzheimer’s being such a success, Ms. Gilda Meier and her sixth grade English classes at East Ridge Middle School are looking to bring even more awareness to Alzheimer’s this year. This year’s Walk and Kids’ Fest will begin at 9 a.m. at the Recreation Center on Sunday, June 15 — rain or shine.
Ms. Meier’s students are looking for help from both students and adults. They need people to walk individually or in groups, sponsors for booths and tables and people to create a fun activity for kids before or after the walk. Ms. Meier may be reached at gmeier@ridgefield.org.
A Ribbons and Rhythm Night of Music has also been added from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Recreation Center lawn on Saturday, June 14. It was coordinated by Ridgefield High School student and RMAC member Lauren Chakraborty and WestConn music student Rachel Armour.
Bring a blanket or chairs and possibly dinner/snacks for this outdoor concert. There is no cost for the event, but donations will be accepted on behalf of Alzheimer’s.
Starting at 6 p.m., will be three community children’s choruses, one of which will be led by Ridgefield’s own music teacher Patricia Moriarty.
From 7 to 9 p.m., there will be music from the middle and high school bands, from the award-winning Western Connecticut Jazz Band, and from a cappella groups.
Ridgefield has received five awards to date from the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association. No other town in the country is involved in an Alzheimer’s Awareness Program for students, or a lobby day with legislators at the state Capitol.
Ridgefield Ski and Sport is donating a bicycle to be raffled off at the event. Other groups helping with the event include Laurel Ridge Nursing Home, the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, Adam Broderick, the Young Philanthropists Club, the Lion’s Hearts Club, the Education Club at Western Connecticut State University, and St. Stephen’s Ministry.
This isn’t the only event in the near future in which kids are raising awareness for Alzheimer’s.
For the first time, this Memorial Day the Alzheimer’s Awareness Group for Kids will have its own float and walkers in the Memorial Day parade. The float will be decorated by students at East Ridge Middle School and will include Mr. Scott Russell’s Alzi Animals.
This writer volunteers to help promote Alzheimer’s Awareness.