- April 25, 2024
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A crowd of over 500 hold up colorful pinwheel flowers, each representing different people supporting the Alzheimer's Association's cause. Photo by Paige Wilson
Hammock Dunes resident Judy Wiginton hugs her son Alan Wiginton after he gives a speech honoring her late-husband, Joe Wiginton, who died on Aug. 31 after living with Alzheimer's for several years. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast resident Christopher Jones walks in front of the stage while holding an orange pinwheel flower, representing his support for the Alzheimer's Association's cause. Photo by Paige Wilson
Members of the Matanzas High School JROTC present the colors. Photo by Paige Wilson
John Skripko, financial advisor of Edward Jones in Palm Coast, shared his personal reason for attending — beyond the fact that Edward Jones is the national presenting sponsor for the Alzheimer's Association. Photo by Paige Wilson
Christine McGrath (right), of Market Street Palm Coast, starts the walk. Photo by Paige Wilson
Members of Ye Privateers of Palm Coast show their support. Photo by Paige Wilson
A crowd of over 500 hold up colorful pinwheel flowers, each representing different people supporting the Alzheimer's Association's cause. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin speaks to the crowd. Photo by Paige Wilson
Locals begin the annual walk. Photo by Paige Wilson
A man shows support for the Alzheimer's Association during the walk. Photo by Paige Wilson
Locals begin the annual walk. Photo by Paige Wilson
With shaky hands and a quivering voice, Alan Wiginton told the crowd gathered at Walk to End Alzheimer's about the 85 years of impact his father, Joe Wiginton, had on the communities where he lived — in Texas, in Ormond Beach and in Brookdale Assisted Living in Palm Coast — before he died on Aug. 31 after living with Alzheimer's for several years.
"Joe was the classic rags to riches story that only Hollywood could otherwise make up — riches brought by a man who brought more value to his community than he ever took," Alan Wiginton said. "When you help people over and over succeed, and that success grows like a snowball, well, Joe helped people over and over and over and over again. ... There was nothing but love coming out of Joe all the time."
Alan Wigginton's mother, Judy Wiginton, of Hammock Dunes, stood next to him on stage while holding a purple pinwheel flower, which represents that she has lost someone to Alzheimer's. The two shared an emotional hug after Alan Wiginton's speech as the crowd applauded. Judy Wiginton had individually raised over $17,000 for the cause this year.
John Skripko, financial advisor of Edward Jones in Palm Coast, shared his personal reason for attending — beyond the fact that Edward Jones is the national presenting sponsor for the Alzheimer's Association. About a year ago, his grandmother died from the disease.
"We made a commitment three years ago to eradicate — or at least help eradicate — Alzheimer's off the face of the Earth," Skripko said about Edward Jones. "It's an honor to stand up and join everybody in this fight. ... People ask me why Edward Jones has stepped up to walk against Alzheimer's as a national sponsor, and it's really simple: Just like the Alzheimer's Association and just like you, we're not going to rest until the world is rid of this dreaded disease."
Flagler County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin was the emcee for the event.
"As the prevalence of this disease continues to grow, the cost of care continues to escalate into the hundreds of billions," McLaughlin said. "Alzheimer's is a strain on our families, our finances and our futures, and it's time to end the disease."
Carly Willie, the development manager with the Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter, said $12,000 was raised at the event on Saturday alone, which was enough to surpass their $85,000 goal. The online total is still being calculated.
Those interested can donate at https://bit.ly/2DLUqP2 through the end of the year. Visit alz.org for more information about the cause.
