The local Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday brought Great Bend $1,000 closer to its annual fundraising goal of $20,000, said Angela Delgado-Sycz, executive event chair and community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association’s regional team.

“We are just $1,872 away,” she said.

“Every one of us has some sort of connection with Alzheimer’s and dementia,” she said at the ceremony before the Walk in Jack Kilby Square. That includes people living with dementia, family members and caregivers. “We have a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s."

Rhonda Knudson with Pilot Club said this was that group’s 14th year as a partner in the Walk.

“It goes directly to what we do through Pilot Club,” she said. Pilot International – a national partner of the Walk to End Alzheimer's – wants to bring awareness to people of all ages concerning  the issues about brain-related diseases, illness and traumatic brain-related injuries.

“Every dollar counts,” Knudson said of fundraising efforts. “They are making strides in research.”

Edward Jones financial services is also a national sponsor and was represented locally by Sonia Rein and Jane Weiser.

“For 10 years, the Alzheimer’s Association and Edward Jones have been united in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” Rein said, noting more than $56 million has been donated through associate giving and firm contributions. “We will continue ... until the day we end Alzheimer’s.”

Joining the event from Wichita were Denise Vann, program director, and Fe Vorderlandwehr, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association Central and Western Kansas Chapter.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is here because of you and for you,” Delgado-Sycz said. “We’re all fighting for a cure.” There was also a car show featuring Great Bend’s Slade Mohr and the Slade Morh Racing Team’s car.