Santa Barbara County is blessed with a diversity of vital nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health, well-being, growth, civic leadership and compassion of our community.
Charitable giving and philanthropy are part of our identity, which is why Noozhawk is proud to support the nonprofit community through sponsoring local community organizations and events.
To showcase our support as a sponsor of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Noozhawk spoke with Tamra Mariott at the Alzheimer’s Association to learn more about their upcoming event.
Question: What is the name & date of your event?
Answer: Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Santa Barbara. Saturday, October 14, 2023.
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
We are walking for a different future. For families fighting the disease today. For more time. For treatments.
Currently, there are over 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, with more than 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their personal reasons to end the disease.
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: Yes, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is an annual event, held every year since 2011 in the fall. Prior to 2011, this event was called the Memory Walk.
Last year, nearly 450 participants attended the Santa Barbara Walk, raising over $146,000 to fund the Alzheimer’s Association’s global research and local services throughout Santa Barbara County.
Previously held at the Santa Barbara Zoo and Chase Palm Park, we are excited to announce a brand new location this year at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium.
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: The event will take place at La Playa Stadium. Event and registration opens at 9 a.m.
On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, beginning at 10 a.m. Participants receive a flower in one of four colors, representing their personal connections to the cause. Purple represents that you have lost a loved one to the disease, yellow represents that you are caring for someone with the disease, blue represents that you are living with the disease, and orange represents that you support the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
After the Promise Garden ceremony, participants will walk the 1.6 mile route along East Cabrillo Boulevard to Stearns Wharf and back. Participants with wheelchairs, walkers and strollers will have the option to just walk around the track in the stadium. They can also participate in other areas of our event including the: Kids Zone, Promise Garden, Champions Club (for fundraisers who have raised $500+) sponsor booths and Community Village area, filled with nonprofit organizations who provide services to individuals with dementia and their families and caregivers. There also will be food trucks in the parking lot.
Q: How do people get involved with your event? (volunteer, attend, etc.) – If your event includes ticket sales, please note the price and include a link to purchase tickets.
A: People can register for the event online at alz.org/santabarbarawalk or in-person at the event, starting at 9 a.m. Registration is completely free, but participants who fundraise $100 or more will be mailed our 2023 Walk T-shirt.
To get involved as a volunteer, Team Captain, or sponsor, please contact Tamra Mariott at tamariott@alz.org.
Q: Is this a fundraising affair? If so, how will the funds raised help your organization?
A: Funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s supports the Alzheimer’s Association’s global research and local services throughout Santa Barbara County.
Currently, the Alzheimer’s Association is investing over $360 million in over 1,000 active projects in 53 countries, bringing forward new discoveries and developments every day.
The California Central Coast Chapter offers support groups, education programs, care consultations and a 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) throughout the county in both English and Spanish, all provided at no cost. For more information on our programs, please visit our website: alz.org/cacentral.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: The Santa Barbara Walk is proud to be supported locally by presenting sponsor Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians; silver sponsors: US Bank and SBCC Foundation; and Bronze Sponsors: Casa Dorinda, BMW Santa Barbara; Vista del Monte, BrightStar Care, Central Coast Home Health and Hospice, Covenant Living at the Samarkand, The Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara, Love and Care, Villa Verde and photo booth sponsor 1Heart Caregiver Services. The media sponsors include Noozhawk, Montecito Journal, 805 Living, KRUZ 103.3, NewsChannel 3-12, and KSBY. In-kind sponsors include LURE, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort and Summer Solstice Foundation.
Not only do our sponsors help to drive financial support towards our fundraising efforts, but they also spread awareness for our mission and engage the community to get involved and seek out resources.
Q: Do you work with an Event Planner? If not, who are the key people who make it all happen?
A: In addition to the efforts of Alzheimer’s Association staff, the Walk is supported by the hard work of a volunteer Walk Committee. We appreciate the time, resources and effort to organize and fundraise for this year’s event by Honorary Chair Vince Caballero, Walk Co-Chairs Gabriella Garcia and Jill Fonte, and members David Steinberg, Juli Askew, Andrea Katz, Shain Logeais, Zaira Ortiz. N. Scott Vincent, Dylan Nakamura, Katina Zaninovich and Peter Martin.
Q: Does your organization have any other upcoming events this year?
A: Upcoming events include our remaining Walk to End Alzheimer’s in East Ventura County on Oct. 21 and San Luis Obispo on Nov. 4.
We also have a wide variety of education workshops, research town halls, and support groups happening both virtually and in-person throughout Santa Barbara. For updated information on our monthly events, please visit alz.org/cacentral.
The Longest Day is an additional fundraising opportunity happening all year, where people are encouraged to turn their passion into a purpose. Participants bake cupcakes, perform music and play sports to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. Learn more at alz.org/tld.
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: Registered participants will receive an electronic album of photos from the event. Top fundraising walkers and teams, event sponsors and committee members will also be invited to a post-walk celebration to thank them and recognize their accomplishments.
To attend or learn more about the event, Walk to End Alzheimer’s click HERE.
If you would like to apply for Noozhawk’s 50/50 Match Sponsorship Program for your upcoming nonprofit event please click HERE to view our sponsorship application. The deadline for consideration is 45-60 days prior to the event.