The Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s 22nd annual fundraising event –
the 2012 Manulife Walk for Memories – was a tremendous success.
Over 1,000 walkers raised over $630,000 which exceeded the $600,000 goal. Over 1,200 walkers, family, friends and volunteers came out to Brookfield Place’s Allen Lambert Galleria to remember and honour the people in their lives who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease.

The morning kicked off with music from the stage and performances from violinist Grenville Pinto, and Jeff Scott performing as Elton John. Strolling through the Galleria posing for photos with people of all ages were stilt walker Top Hat, ET the Mime, Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe as well as Batman, Darth Vader, and an assortment of stormtroopers from the 501st Legion Canadian Garrison. Jesse Marvis, Elaine Charal and Kristina Rembalski provided tattoos, analyzed handwriting and predicted the future respectively. Long time supporter, Barry Lew from Timothy’s World Coffee kept the coffee flowing. And the wide assortment of cupcakes, cookies, cakes, breads, fruit, and juices donated by many generous companies were enjoyed by all. 

The tradition of posting photos and stories on the Manulife Wall of Memories continued for dozens of walkers. They did this to honour and remember their family members and friends with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. See photos of the day's events from our online album.

Tom Harrington, the co-host of CBC’s Marketplace, returned this year as the Master of Ceremonies. He began the Opening Ceremonies by welcoming to the stage the CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Françoise Hébert, and Naguib Gouda the CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Jane Kinney, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto then welcomed Kathy Lockwood and Elizabeth Boyd representing Manulife Financial – title sponsor of the Walk since 2001 – who presented a cheque for $70,000.

Then Tom invited some very good friends and supporters of the Alzheimer Society to join him on stage to participate in the yellow shoelace-tying ceremony, beginning with Donna Cansfield, MPP.
Actors Fiona Reid and Art Hindle, and CTV News Anchor Andria Case also participated, along with the entire “Flying Foxes” team, one of the longest walking teams of Friends and Family.

After an energetic warm-up led by Dance Grooves’ Liz Smith and a send off from piper Kelly Buckley, the walkers entered the PATH system for the 2.2 KM walk. Throughout the route, walkers were entertained by
The Speck Brothers, Grenville Pinto, Sound Investment Barbershop Quartet, Aaron Solomon Duo, Elmer Ferrer & Joaquin Nunez, The New Botavians, Bobby D & the Alley Cats, and Collette Andrea.

The event concluded with Closing Ceremonies where we announced the Top Teams and the three Top Walkers:  Here are the final results; 

Top Corporate Team  - Manulife Financial
Top Friends and Family Team – Rappel Isabel Team*
Top Walkers: 1st Ruth Carswell
                    2nd Dorina Vendramin
                    3rd Gillian Brown

To all of you who came, raised money, donated, volunteered, dressed in a costume, and participated in the fun – a big thank you. We look forward to seeing you next January at the 23rd annual Manulife Walk for Memories.

*Please note that in all the excitement we announced the wrong winning Friends and Family Team at the Walk.  We awarded the prize to the Carswell Team, but realized just after that they had been pipped to the post by the Rappel Isabel Team.  Our sincere apologies for this mistake.