Alzheimer’s Walk at Air Force Armament Museum set to raise awareness, funds

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of residents will gather at the Air Force Armament Museum on Oct. 27, 2024, to participate in the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Emerald Coast-Okaloosa County.

The event honors those affected, including the loved ones of local participants, while raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s care, research, and support services through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Registration for the event starts at 2 p.m., with the walk beginning at 3 p.m. following the Promise Garden ceremony. This symbolic ceremony invites participants to carry flowers in various colors, each representing personal connections to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, registration is required for all participants, including children, though there is no registration fee. While there’s no charge to join, participants are encouraged to make personal donations and raise funds. Parents or guardians may register children online or complete an offline form with a signed waiver, the organization said.

In Florida, more than 580,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, with 840,000 unpaid caregivers providing vital support, the Alzheimer’s Association reported. Okaloosa County alone has an estimated 3,700 individuals over the age of 65 living with the disease, highlighting the importance of community events like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Funds raised through the walk will directly support the Alzheimer’s Association’s nonprofit work.

For registration and more details, visit alz.org/EmeraldCoastOCWalk.