On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Team CHART – Illinois came together at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana to join nearly 417 participants and 75 teams in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Our team of 28 CHART members proudly raised $700 to support the Alzheimer’s Association and walked the 1.5 mile route in honor of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
This year’s Walk began with festivities at 8:30 a.m. and a moving opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Peggy Prechard, the Mission Speaker, shared her work as an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, while Allie Morris spoke on behalf of Edward Jones, the Association’s National Presenting Sponsor. At 10:00 a.m., the Walk officially kicked off, with live music and community spirit filling the park.
Beyond the Walk itself, many enjoyed the Promise Garden, in which participants were able to choose and plant a colored flower based on their relationship with Alzheimer’s. Other activities included a memory wall, live music along the route, a selfie station, a lemonade stand, treats for pets, and special recognition for top fundraisers. Our community partner, Cris Healthy Aging, hosted a table for card writing for people with Alzheimer’s, and some of our CHART Members participated in it.
So far, the Champaign-Urbana Walk has raised $61,923, which is 62% of the overall $100,000 goal, while fundraising continues through the end of 2025.
