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Westport Residents March In Walk To End Alzheimer's

NORWALK, Conn.  – Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk was awash in purple during the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's Norwalk Committee at Calf Pasture Beach.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's Norwalk Committee at Calf Pasture Beach.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Team Nanna at the Norwalk Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Team Nanna at the Norwalk Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The Fairfield County event represented the last of six walks held throughout Connecticut in Enfield, Hartford, New Haven, New London and New Milford. The walks, which attracted a total of 8,000 participants, are dedicated to Connecticut residents impacted by Alzheimer’s, including 72,000 individuals who suffer from the disease and their 176,000 caregivers. Though planning has already begun for 2015, The Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter is currently accepting donations related to this year’s walk events through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Visit http://www.alz.org/ct or call 860-828-2828 for more details.

In Norwalk, more than 1,800 walkers laced up their shoes for the WALK to End Alzheimer’s. Participants enjoyed the opening ceremony, including performances by Cassie Robinson, The Dance Pointe of Greenwich, the Stamford High School and Brien McMahon High School cheerleading squads. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling addressed the audience followed by event host Rebecca Surran, News 12 Conn. producer and anchor, who led the crowd in a tribute with the help of Libby Hinshaw, Robin Rosillo, Billy Genaurio and Arthur Egol. During this solemn moment, the audience members held their Promise Garden flowers high in the air and took a pledge to honor, to remember, to care and to fight Alzheimer’s – the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. Maria Amendola then led a rousing Zumba-style warm-up and counted down to the main event. Event co-chairman and 2013 top team fundraiser Mile Davis cut the ribbon and officially kicked off the 3-mile scenic walk.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2014 Sponsors include Statewide Title Sponsor - Standard Oil and Statewide Benefactors Maplewood Senior Living; Transconbuilders; Athena Health Care Systems; Genesis Healthcare; Atria Senior Living; Benchmark Senior Living; Hoffman Auto Group; Powerstation Events; Clip's Signs and Companions & Homemakers. Event sponsors supporting the Norwalk Walk include: Lapine Inc.; Waveny Lifecare Network; Edgehill - A benchmark senior living community; Frontier Communications; Jewish Senior Services; Cohen & Wolf PC; Integrated Energy Services; Norwalk Hospital; Cassena Care at Norwalk; Watermark at 3030 Park; RVNA, Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association; and Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk.

The Walk to End Alzheimer's Norwalk Committee in blue includes Sue Martins, Jojo Frey, Max Snyder, Howard Bloom, Mike Davis, Christy Perone, Claire Rowella, Dick Fisher, Len Schwartz, Heidi Lohrfink, Kelley Green, Diane Mastrone, Bonnie Leavy-Mello, Giovanna LoSardo, Lorin Richardson, Lindsay Johnson, Tania Paparazzo and Lexi Rodriguez.

Team Nanna, in green, at the Norwalk Walk to End Alzheimer's group include Lou Pasquino, Jeff Cefalu, Francesca Mallozzi, Penelope Lopedota, Aurora Lopedota, Jackie Ceci, Leah Mullins, Samantha Altamura, Ashley Chiappetta, Cathy Smeriglio, Becca Pasquino, Eva Pasquino, Amira Berkovitz, Nina Smeriglio,  Anastasia Zygmont, Adrianna Zygmont, George and Georgina Zygmont, Richie Molgano, Taylor D'Arinzo, Alex Santos, Catena Pagano, Melissa Evans, Lena Giantomidis, Stella Mallozzi, Lexi Ceci, Gessie Ceci, Ilario Altamura, Jess Mould, Maria Caruso, Reina Di Nino, Gina DeNino, Amy DeNino, Michael Pasquino, Nikki Pellini, Jerry Mullins, Maria Uva, Ilario Altamura, Brittany Salvatore, Joey Pasquino, Mike Smeriglio, PJ Uva, Lauren McInerney, Carol Ceci, Lexie Radonich, JohnMike Rachinsky-Wood, Rose McInerney, Barry McInerney, Rob Evans, Leo Mallozzi, Victor Ceci, Lou Scarano, Frank Ceci and Antonio Conte.

Other attendees not pictured include Christina DelCarmine, Paulina Lanas, Sam Mullins, Kurt Hinrichs, Emily Carriero, Nick Caruso, Adrianna Caruso, Nico Caruso, Steve Naso, RJ Rotante, Amy Colindres, Lauren Serafino, Matt Garrett, Daniela Siciliano and Annalisa Martins.

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