Sedgebrook-Radford Green Making Strides for Walk to End Alzheimer's

While guests' stomachs were fed by all-you-can-eat spaghetti, it was healthy minds that the luncheon fundraiser at Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire was advocating late last month.

The first of three fundraising events hosted by Sedgebrook independent living and Radford Green health care and rehabilitation on the Sedgebrook campus, the inaugural spaghetti luncheon will benefit the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 7. Other Sedgebrook fundraisers for the Lake County Walk include a mini-walk on September 20 and a pancake breakfast on September 24.

With a fundraising goal of $5,000 and a robust team of participating staff members in mind, Sedgebrook resident life manager and Walk team captain Joanne Kopper and associates are making it easy for more staff to join the 5K (3.2 miles) event at Independence Grove in Libertyville. "We're having a kick-off party at both Sedgebrook and Radford Green on September 12 where staff can stop by, have some pizza and pop, and easily sign up," said Kopper. "We're really trying to get staff involved!" In addition, letters soliciting support were sent to vendors, partners and local businesses in May.

For a $10 donation toward the Alzheimer's Association, residents too can walk for the cause in a mini-walk on the picturesque Sedgebrook-Radford Green grounds. Said Kopper, they and anyone who wants to join in can walk around the campus pond as many times as they wish. The event will be embellished to resemble the main Walk on October 7, featuring wildflowers, signs from the Alzheimer's Association, and a fair-like atmosphere with food, beverages and tables hosted by donors of $500 or more. Last year's mini-walk was attended by approximately 60 people, according to Kopper.

Distinguished by their commitment to quality memory care, the Sedgebrook and Radford Green communities have participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's (which occurs in various locations across the U.S.) for the past several years. "Each year we do different things to raise money. We try not to have too many events, but we want to do the ones we have very well," said Kopper, remarking that the breakfast and luncheon events also benefit residents and their families in that they occur on a Sunday, when only dinner is served on campus.

"We have a phenomenal relationship with the Alzheimer's Association," added Kopper, who serves on the Lake County Walk committee through the association and has worked in senior care for the past 10 years. "I'm passionate about helping seniors age well. I wouldn't trade my work for anything."

Radford Green nurse liaison/admissions coordinator Jessica Schnoor is a fellow teammate and equally zealous about rallying support for the Walk. "I see the effects of memory loss on seniors and their families every day. Keeping staff constantly educated and residents constantly engaged, occupied and fulfilled is our philosophy and our goal," said Schnoor. "It's impossible for me not to be excited about efforts to research and hopefully treat Alzheimer's and memory-related diseases."

All Sedgebrook fundraisers for the Walk to End Alzheimer's are open to the public. For further information, contact Joanne Kopper at 847-876-2397. Donations to the Radford Green at Sedgebrook team or a particular walker can be offered at www.alz.org.

Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call (847) 901-3319.