HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-12-31, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Alzheimer Society's celebrating 20th anniversary
of Winter Walk for Memories in Huron County
The 2015 event
will be the last
Brittany Williams
Special to The Signal Star
It's officially here, January
2015 marks the 20th anni-
versary of Huron County's
Walk for Memories.
We could not have made it
to this incredible landmark
without the ongoing support
of our incredible county.
Thank you; for the support
that allows us to offer help
for today, and hope for
tomorrow for those affected
by Alzheimer's disease and
other dementias.
The Walk for Memories
continued success means
that the society can provide
invaluable programs, such
as the newest "Just for Us"
respite program - offering a
safe and friendly atmos-
phere for people with
dementia while caregivers
Distemper increase in local raccoons
The number of raccoons
testing positive for distem-
per in Huron County has
increased, especially in the
northwest area of the county.
The Huron County Health
Unit reminds residents to
stay away from raccoons and
other wild animals.
Distemper is caused by a
virus that is easily transmit-
ted between raccoons and
between raccoons and
unvaccinated family pets
such as cats and dogs. Dis-
temper can cause a respira-
tory infection and watery
eyes in affected animals The
animal may start to wander,
look disoriented, approach
humans or behave strangely.
Affected animals can die
from distemper.
Although distemper can-
not be transmitted to
humans, Public Health
Inspector Patrick Landry
reminds residents that rac-
coons with distemper can
bite and scratch people who
get too close.
"We recommend that peo-
ple stay away from wild ani-
mals, including raccoons, says
Landry. "If you suspect that an
animal is sick or injured, or if
you see an animal behaving
strangely, contact your local
animal control officer:'
Do not leave food out as it
may attract raccoons. Pet
owners should make sure
pets are vaccinated against
distemper.
attend support group.
Over the past 19 years
contributions to Walk for
Memories have added up to
over $535,000 to support
Society programs and ser-
vices right here in Huron,
and over $100,000 has been
contributed towards
research for a cure.
This year will mark our
20th year and a bittersweet
final year for Walk for Mem-
ories. But we are eager to
share some exciting changes
for the Walk as we transition
into the springtime nation-
wide walk movement, recog-
nizable as the Alzheimer
Society national fundraiser
from coast to coast.
Join us for our final year of
Walk for Memories on Jan.
31, 2015 from 10 a.m to
noon. Our goal is to reach a
grand total of $600,000 in
our 20th Walk year. There
will be five walks in Huron
County once again, in Clin-
ton, Exeter, Goderich,
Seaforth and Wingham. A
ceremony will kick off the
morning, including a special
moment to remember those
we've lost and those we con-
tinue to fight for.
We hope it will be our best
year yet to celebrate the
incredible support Huron
has shown over the past 20
years. And to honour the
Walk for Memories and each
and every person who has
made an incredible differ-
ence in the lives of those
living with a form of demen-
tia in Huron County.
Walk registration begins at
9:30 a.m. with the walk begin-
ning at 10 a.m. To join the
Walk, support a walker, or for
more information about the
Walk for Memories, visit
www.walkformemories.ca or
call (519) 482-1482.
Brittany Williams is the
events coordinator for the
Huron County Alzheimer's
Society
One -day journey earns United Way $82,000 towards campaign goal
Signal Star staff
The United Way Perth -
Huron continues to truck
along towards its 2014 cam-
paign goal.
Staff and volunteers were
traveling from one end to the
other of both counties on
Thurs., Dec. 11 for their fourth
annual Care -A Van of Hope.
Their goal was two -fold: to
raise awareness about the
United Way and to raise
money towards this year's
campaign goal of $1.17 mil-
lion. The successful tour left
the United Centre in Stratford
via a chartered bus sponsored
by Cherrey Bus Lines.
Throughout the day, the
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Clinton's
Walking Wonders id
Ever thought of walking your way to better health? V V�
Now you can join others and do it in a supportive, 4d
informative environment!
WHEN: Every Wednesday -starting January 7th, 2015
TIME: 12:15-1:15 pm
WHERE: Central Huron Community Complex (Walking Track)
WHO: Anyone is welcome to join Jennifer Blackhall NP and
Wendy Madarasz RD from the Clinton Family Health Team in a
Walking Group for ALL!
No commitment. No cost.
Come when you can! 4
We would love to see you there! 4
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United Way team of staff, vol-
unteers and supporters made
stops at Scotiabank branches
in St. Marys, Exeter, Goderich,
Listowel, Milverton, Mitchell
and Stratford to collect the
money raised at the branches
the week prior, accept addi-
tional donations from those
gathered, hear stories from
United Way member agencies
and receive greetings from
local dignitaries.
From Dec. 4 to Dec. 11, Sco-
tiabank branches across Perth
and Huron collected dona-
tions and promoted the work
of United Way.
Through partnership with
the Team Scotia Community
Program, the efforts of each
branch, and the generous
donations of many individuals,
businesses and corporations,
Scotiabank helped the United
Way raise $82,378.55. This
amount includes the $15,000
match from Scotiabank, and is
over $6,861 more than last year.
United Way executive
director Ryan Erb said an
event such as the Care -A -Van
of Hope allows staff and vol-
unteers to see up close how
big of a region the organiza-
tion covers.
While in Goderich, Erb said
the United Way received
Huron County's yearly dona-
tion from employees, which
equaled $9,000, and also a
$700 donation from Goderich
Place, where a number of resi-
dents auctioned off deserts.
Representatives from the
GoderichYMCAwere on hand
to talk about their recreation
subsidy program, which helps
to make sure all youths can
take part in activities despite
any financial boundaries.
Chief John Bates and Wayne
Smith, campaign co -Chairs
were thrilled with the total and
the experience of the day.
"We had an incredible jour-
ney, we all heard about the
work of our agency partners
and those we serve. We know
that the money we raise each
year is making an impactful
difference in our community,"
Smith said.
The campaign is now at
almost 70% after the Care -A -
Van of Hope.
Donations are still being
accepted for the 2014 Cam-
paign until February.
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