I recently participated in a walk for Alzheimer’s, which not only gave me an opportunity to do something in memory of my dad, but also modelled some things I think we could be reminded about in the church. Here are some of those reminders:
- Be enthusiastic about the cause. From the moment I clicked on an event link to learn more about the walk, I sensed the commitment to the cause and purpose of the event. I knew it was a fundraiser, but the message was also clear that the purpose of the fundraiser was to provide support, fund research, and create community. On the day of the event, the energy from those at the microphone and those making the event happen was contagious. They were giving participants information they could probably quote in their sleep, but their energy and enthusiasm drew me in as someone who is on the peripheries of the Alzheimer’s/dementia reality. I quickly set aside the fundraising aspect of the event and got caught up in the positive impact I was part of.
- Celebrate the team and the planning effort of others. Throughout the opening remarks from the stage, the person at the microphone regularly celebrated all those whose work behind the scenes made the event possible. Without exagerrated accolades, it was clear that the event was a result of a team who dedicated time, energy and resources to the event…not for the event’s sake, but for the cause and for the purpose of providing a positive experience to others.
- Bring new participants into a longer history of experience. This was my first time participating in this walk, which happens every year. It became clear to me that some people attend this walk every year. From the microphone, there were stories told about the walk’s history, but not in a way that made me as a first-timer feel like an outsider. Instead, I felt like I was being grafted into something that, even if I only participated once, began before me and would continue beyond me. At the same time, I felt like me being there on this day mattered.
- Provide opportunity for personal connection. There were a couple different ways that people could name who they were walking for. By giving people stickers to wear on their shirts, or posters to tape to a stick to carry with them, or posters to hang from a display at the front, the broader purpose became personal. As the speakers were acknowledging the broad need for and broad impact of the resources gathered by the walk, individuals could find ways to name their personal need for the walk. I wasn’t just supporting the Manitoba Alzheimer’s Society, I was supporting my dad and expressing my gratitude for the care providers that were part of his journey. As I saw others with stickers on their shirts that said, “I’m walking for my dad” or “I’m walking for Grandma,” I found a personal connection with the strangers that were part of this event with me.
- Celebrate Partners and Share the Microphone. In the hour of pre-walk programming, there were several people and organizations whose support was named and celebrated. Several of these partners were invited to speak for themselves about why the partnership was important. In this way, the importance of the cause was lifted up from a variety of directions.
- Post signs and cheerleaders along the way to celebrate progress. The organizers did a good job of making the beginning and the end of the walk a really big deal. But they also had cheerleaders posted along the walk whose main job was just to celebrate the progress the walkers had made. This regular affirmation and encouragement was instrumental in promoting endurance and deepening engagement and awareness of the cause. It was hard to forget that we weren’t just walking around the park…we were walking together with others to support those impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Even though it wasn’t a very challenging walk, the cheerleaders along the way made us feel like what we were doing was very significant.
- Find ways for people of all ages to be involved behind the scenes. Even though Alzheimer’s is stereotypically associated with an older age demographic, there were people of all ages involved in hosting and executing the race. Adults were standing with children passing out water. Children had their own responsibility of holding signs and directing walkers. Older adults were sitting along the route celebrating and cheering on the walkers. Families were involved in the walk, but also clearly involved behind the scenes to help make the walk happen.
- Tell the story through words and pictures. Within an hour of the walk, a photo album of pictures and videos was already available, along with a compelling summary of the event. It was easy to feel like I had been part of something really significant.
- Manage the logistics and details. From signs for checking in to the flow of people getting lunch afterwards, the walk was well-organized. It was clear where to go for what. I went into a tent to check in and thought I would have to stand in line, but a volunteer came to me and initiated helping me get what I needed. After the walk we were given lunch–which was ready on time and was set up in a way that a mass of people could easily navigate the line without waiting too long.
- Make the cause more important than the money. I’ve been to some fundraisers where the money being raised was the most important thing about the event. But I almost forgot that this event was about raising money because the organizers were so focused on lifting up the significant contribution we were all making to the cause of caring for those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
An annual fundraising walk for the Alzheimer’s society is different than a weekly worship service. But I definitely think there are lessons we can learn about generating support, engaging participants, celebrating partners, and focusing on the purpose behind it all.