North Fork walkers rally at Peconic Landing to end Alzheimer’s
A sea of colored flowers and personal stories filled Peconic Landing in Greenport on Saturday for the fourth annual North Fork Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
The two-mile walk, organized by the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter, is part of a year-long effort to raise $140,000. So far this year, $123,527 has been raised.
The event — attended by State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, Southold Town Councilwomen Anne Smith and Kate Stevens and Town Clerk Denis Noncarrow — began with a ribbon-cutting before participants set out through the Peconic Landing community.
The ceremony was led by Judy Wichter, associate director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter. Each participant then carried a flower whose color reflected a personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease, whether honoring someone they have lost, supporting a caregiver or standing with someone living with the disease.
“People call this walk their biggest support group because just standing next to another person, even if you haven’t had a conversation with them, you can connect based on the flower you’re holding and your connection to the cause,” Ms. Wichter said.
Susie Deschenes sat outside her house and handed out lollipops with a sign in front of her table reading, “Alzheimer’s sucks. Together, let’s lick it.”
Mom’s Daughters was this year’s leading fundraising team, raising $17,893.67. It was followed by Naka for Good ($16,902.08), Shut Up and Fish ($13,535.70), Peconic Landing ($9,713.19) and Richmond Realty ($7,350).
“This particular walk means so much to me because it wasn’t originally a walk scheduled for our chapter,” Ms. Wichter said. “The fact that this has been built over the past four years and has helped bring services to the North Fork that weren’t available here before is so meaningful to me.”
Since 2023, the North Fork walk has raised $365,507, Ms. Wichter said.
“The impact that we’re having in this community, and the sense of community and the sense that you’re not alone, is the greatest thing,” Ms. Wichter said. “That’s what this walk represents.”
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
