Dear editor:
As the chair of the 2016 Alzheimer's Arkansas Walk Committee, I want to extend our thanks to everyone who helped make the 14th annual Hot Springs Walk on Saturday, Sept. 17, a success. In addition to our wonderful sponsors and donors, who are being formally thanked in our paid advertisement, I would like to thank several people who worked so hard to ensure everyone had a wonderful time.
The Walk committee has put in many hours over several months planning the event. Committee members are Lori Voss, Teri Hughes, Rebecca Witte, Krista Underwood, Kitty Conrad, Brandi Garrett, Vicky Shuffield and Sandra Murphy.
More than 500 attendees enjoyed a cappella selections by country music legend Glen Campbell's family and the video that Campbell recorded about his own struggle with Alzheimer's disease. The honorary chair for the Walk was Angela Frazier, Campbell's niece. We are very appreciative to the family for providing such wonderful entertainment for us this year. Larry Wilson is our sound man who makes everything work in the tricky environment of the Exchange Street Parking Plaza. He deserves an Emmy in sound production for what he does to make us all sound good in such an environment with his stellar equipment and skills.
A group of 20 radiology students from National Park College, under the direction of Radiologic Technology Program Director Debra Wilson, served as volunteers for the Walk. They provided services ranging from putting out tables and chairs, to portraying the Alzheimer's Arkansas mascot Ellie the Elephant "who never forgets," to monitoring the walkers as they traversed Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue. These students are some of the finest young people that I have ever worked with. They represented National Park College well. They were so well mannered and followed instructions to the letter in their assignments. Many times we did not even have to ask them to perform a task. They just pitched in and helped when they saw something that needed to be done. I am very grateful to Wilson and NPC for providing these wonderful students to help with this benefit for the past two years.
Tom and Mary Daniel, owners of Arkansas Tent, provide and tables and chairs each year, and we simply could not have this event without their support. Dave and Coach deliver and pick up the tables and chairs, and we appreciate their assistance and willingness to help so much.
The Hot Springs Police Department keeps us safe each year as we walk Bathhouse Row and Central Avenue and have a wonderful time at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza during our pre- and post-walk ceremonies. We appreciate them and the city of Hot Springs for their support of the families dealing with Alzheimer's disease.
And last, but certainly not least, is our volunteer photographer Jennifer Cockrill, who has been the official photographer of the Walk since we started the Hot Springs Walk 14 years ago at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Jennifer is a wonderful photographer who captures beautiful photos and has told the story of our Walks through the years, aptly portraying the grace and character of the occasion and its participants. She is so appreciated!
Billie Holsomback
Alzheimer's Arkansas Walk chair
Director of Marketing and Community Affairs
Area Agency on Aging
Editorial on 09/28/2016