When nearly 800 participants from Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke and Hamblen Counties gathered at Smokies Stadium in September, it was clear that the 25th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK would be successful. With all the contributions in and counted, the Smoky Mountain Community can be proud of a record-breaking total: $144,289.10 raised to support the mission of Alzheimer’s Tennessee.

“Thanks to the generous people of Sevier County and the rest of the Smoky Mountain Community, even more Tennessee families living with Alzheimer’s disease will get the support they so desperately need,” says Janice Wade-Whitehead, President and CEO of Alzheimer’s Tennessee. “The funds raised at the Walk will also allow more investment in research to find new treatments and, hopefully, a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Record Breaking Teams and Walkers

More than 60 teams contributed to the 25th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK. “Team Citizens National Bank” is the top fundraiser, bringing in more than $25,000.
“Every member of every team worked to raise every hard-earned dollar,” says Colleen Milne, Citizens National Bank Team Captain and Co-Chair of the 25th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK. “With every call made, every email sent and every fundraiser held, team members showed their commitment to helping the families of our community. The money raised by these teams and individual walkers will go a long way toward fighting this disease and supporting those living with it every day.”

Alexa Austin is one of those individual walkers making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The 14-year old is the Top Fundraiser for the 25th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK. The Newport native raised more than $22,000 herself in memory of her great-grandfather, J.L. Austin who had Alzheimer’s. Over the past few years, Alexa has raised more than $50,000 to support the Alzheimer’s Tennessee mission.

Corporate Sponsors Come Through

Contributions from the Smoky Mountain Corporate Community total $42,000. Dollywood is the Presenting Sponsor for 25th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK, donating hundreds of park tickets as fundraising incentives for Smoky Mountain Walkers. Dollywood also donated the skills and talents of Walk Co-Chair Carol Agee of the park’s Community Affairs and Philanthropy team.

“I want to thank each and every one of you – volunteers and corporate sponsors – for your help with the Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK,” says Walk Co-Chair Carol Agee.
“I especially want to thank fellow members of the WALK Planning Committee for their commitment to fighting this disease and making this walk a huge success."

Plans for 2018

The Planning Committee is already at work on the 26th Annual Smoky Mountain Alzheimer’s Tennessee WALK planned for September 29, 2018 at the Tennessee Smokies Stadium. To be part of planning next year’s Walk to support families touched by Alzheimer’s, contact Kay Watson at kay.watson@tnalz.org or call (865) 544-6288.