Chamber Spotlight: #Walk2EndAlz

Charlottesville Walk to End Alzheimer's – Saturday, November 6, 2021

Shared by Don Giannangeli, Chairman of the Charlottesville Volunteer Committee

Tell us about this project and your role.
Every year, hundreds of people around Charlottesville gather for the Walk to End Alzheimer's. We all have our reasons. Some have lost loved ones to the disease. Some are caring for family members with it. A few have it themselves. We walk, with support from our friends, to raise awareness and research funds so that someday we can gather to celebrate the first survivor.

This year, I'm taking time away from my business to lead this fight personally, as Chairman of the Charlottesville Volunteer Committee. We've put together a team across the community, many of them Chamber members, to reach out to past Walk teams, recruit new ones, gather sponsors, and find a new home for the Walk at CFA Institute. We couldn't be prouder of this town and all the support we've found.

What inspired you to get involved?
I walk for my grandfather. He spent his life working to build a business from nothing, all to provide for his family. Then he didn't know us anymore, never got the chance to enjoy the fruits of his labor and retire. He spent the last year of his life feeling scared and alone, even though he was with his own son, at home, getting more love and attention than ever before. I won't stand by and just let that happen to someone else if there is some small thing I can do about it. So I walk.

What can Chamber members do to help this project succeed?
Walk with us! The event is Nov 6 at 9am. Start a team online at alz.org/cvillewalk, even if it's just you. Tell your friends, ask for donations or support from your favorite business. Talk about it on social media with the hashtag #Walk2EndAlz. Together, we can end this disease.