Gilda Meier and some of her sixth grade English students from East Ridge Middle School, who will be responsible for running the Kids Walk for Alzheimer’s on Father’s Day, June 16, at the Recreation Center. Joining these students will be other sixth graders from Scott’s Ridge. It’s the first “Kids Walk for Alzheimer’s” in the country.
When Scott Russell, early onset Alzheimer’s patient, and Dr. Darla Shaw, creator of the Alzheimer’s Awareness Program for Students, talk to classes about the disease that affects every family, they ask students to raise their hands to indicate if they know someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
At least 60% of the student hands go up, even at the third grade level.
After the sixth graders in Gilda Meier’s English class heard about Alzheimer’s first-hand two years ago, they decided that they needed to help the cause. These students began to write letters to their legislators, letters to the editor, write stories about caregivers, and even attended the Legislative Breakfast in Hartford to speak personally to local representatives.
One sixth grader, Hannah Park, a cancer survivor, spent an entire semester illustrating a children’s book about early onset Alzheimer’s called Silly Mr. Scott.
“I could so relate to Mr. Scott and what he was going through, I wanted to illustrate his book,” Hannah said.
By the fall this book, written by students by Western Connecticut State University in Dr. Shaw’s education classes, will be available for purchase, with proceeds going toward Alzheimer’s research.
On Father’s Day, June 16, the Ridgefield middle school students, under the direction of Ms. Meier and Janice Pauly, retired East Ridge Middle School teacher, will unite with the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association to sponsor the first ever national Kid’s Walk for Alzheimer’s.
The event will take place, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the Ridgefield Recreation Center. Individuals, families, and other groups may take the mile loop as many times as they want to support a great cause. Students will register and monitor the walk site.
Food will be provided by Piccolo’s and there will be continuous entertainment from 9 through 1, emceed by Big Daddy Sean McKee. Performing bands include Apollo’s Creed, Marmalade Sky, the Founder’s Hall Band and the WCSU Drum Circle Ensemble.
Individual singers will be Judy Barnak, who wrote the original song to go with the book, Silly Mr. Scott, and George Brennan.
Tables for making Alzi Animals, recycled stuffed animals, will be available and after being accessorized the animals will be put up for adoption by donation. There will also be tables for face painting, streak your hair purple for Alzheimer’s, baked goods, and book sales for Silly Mr. Scott.
The RVNA will have a well child clinic on the premises. Registrants may go to www.scottsalzianimals.info to register or to donate time or money to the cause.
The organizers thank the following for their support: MetLife, Pepsi, Concentrics, The Olde Crabs Men’s Hockey Club, Ridgefield Hardware, Piccolo’s, St. Stephen’s Church, and Party Depot.
“Come support the cause and the kids,” said Ms. Meier. “They need to know that Alzheimer’s is not only about older people, but about families, and that they can make a difference.”