To the editor:

The beginning of fall marks an annual event that is very special to me and my family, The Alzheimer’s Association’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”. This event raises money to support Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver services for the millions of families affected by this disease and also to help fund research to find a cure.

My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s 23 years ago after suffering with this disease for nearly 10 years. Since that time I have been a caregiver for others with Alzheimer’s. I have found the Alzheimer’s Association to be invaluable to me, my family and the many families I have met through my work as we go down this road together. Memory Walk gives us a tangible way to help "our families" and the families of the over 25,000 others in Rhode Island who suffer with this dreaded disease in our community.

I am asking for your support in helping us to raise money for this worthy cause. If anyone would like to raise donations from sponsors and walk with me on Sunday, Sept. 17, (8:30 a.m. (to register) — walk starts at 10 a.m.) for a 3-mile stroll around the beautiful Fort Adams State Park in Newport, let me know and I’ll sign you up. We’ll go together and have a great time for a wonderful cause. If not maybe you might be able to sponsor me for a few dollars. Any amount at all will be greatly appreciated. And if you can’t give, please pray for a beautiful and sunny day for our walk. Thank you so very much. Please make any checks payable to the Alzheimer's Association and mail to Ellen Tavares, Tiverton, R.I. 02878 (401-624-7939).

PS. Trenton (our dog) is walking with us again this year and is asking for $1 donations from

all of his Mockingbird Lane dog, cat and any other pet friends. Trenton raised over $115 last year and our team raised over $1,125. Thank you.

Ellen Tavares

Tiverton