Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Toni Santos, a volunteer coordinator with the Capital City Memory Walk, listens to Chairwoman Barbara Tonge on Tuesday at the Capitol Plaza. The walk will take place Sunday at the Capitol with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The second annual Capital City Alzheimer's Memory Walk begins Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at the Capitol grounds. Once registration is complete, participants will be ushered to the Blue Line to begin the one-mile walk.
The Memory Walk is held to bring awareness and information about Alzheimer's disease, how it affects patients' lives and their families. Support groups are available in Carson City to help families deal with the devastation the disease brings.
The first walk was held in memory of Ayer Tonge, Capital City Memory Walk Chairwoman Barbara Tonge's husband, who died from Alzheimer's. This year's walk is in honor of Carson City resident Rita Oviatt, who was recently diagnosed with the disease. Oviatt plans to be at the walk.
Knorr said about $5,000 has been pledged online for the Carson City walk, with seven teams confirmed.
"We get about 90 percent of our participants the day of the walk," Knorr added. "They'll have their signup sheets and donations ready when they get here."
The goal for the Capital City walk is to raise $20,000 and have 350 participants. The walk raised about $15,000 last year and had 200 participants.
Coordinators went over a checklist Tuesday to be sure of all supplies, vendor locations, food tables, quilt displays, volunteer areas and more are ready so no work will be left unattended to.
More than one dozen vendor booths will offer pamphlets with information on their services. Advocacy volunteers from the Northern Nevada Alzheimer's Association will also offer information on how others can help.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts and coffee will be available free to walkers as an early morning incentive.
Wendy Knorr, executive director of the Northern Nevada Chapter, and Lynette Schweigert, special-events coordinator, met with Tonge on Tuesday to go over final plans.
"We'll have a live band set up to the east in the Legislative Plaza," said Knorr. "And the porta- potties will be in the same area."
Two handmade quilts will be on display, and raffle tickets for each will be sold. A remembrance pavilion for people who have died from Alzheimer's disease will be set up next to the miner statue in the plaza, as will food and beverages, provided free to participants.
Tonge confirmed the Bluegrass Association Volunteer Orchestra will provide live entertainment throughout the morning. Tom Baker will serve as emcee.
"Each participant will receive a goodie bag, and 'Memory Bracelets' will be available for purchase," Knorr said. "The bracelets are just beautiful and are made by Toni Santos."
Registration can be completed online at www.alz.org with a link to the Carson City walk or by calling Tonge at 883-0703.
Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
If You Go
What: Alzheimer's Memory Walk
When: 8:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Capitol grounds
Call: 883-0703 or 786-8061
