Liliane Gagne is both a resident and a volunteer at Russell Meadows. She took a turn carrying the trophy awarded to the facility that obtains the highest level of fundraising. Tinkess Photo

RUSSELL – Warm weather and blue skies welcomed Russell Meadows Retirement Community staff, residents, family, and friends as they gathered on May 31 for their Walk for Alzheimer’s fundraising event. The event was part of the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s Fundraiser, which raised a total of $54,000 across the district.

The event started out with coffee and tea and a selection of Tim Hortons’ baked goods, and this was followed with several short speeches by Russell Mayor Pierre Leroux and facility administrators. Danial Sabourin-Leduc, fund development and communication coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Cornwall and District was happy to let staff and residents of Russell Meadows know they had fundraised more than any other facility in the area, and as a result they would have the honour of being awarded the trophy, which is in the form of a golden shoe.

This was the first year Russell Meadows had participated in the event, and they raised a total of $10,500.

Following the speeches, the next step was for everyone to go outside and proceed to walk around the main building as many times as they wished, or for a half hour, whichever came first. With the walk complete, everyone was welcomed to enjoy a barbecue lunch and a chance to sit and chat.

For information on Russell Meadows Retirement Community, you can visit their website at russellmeadows.ca.