According to a recently released report from Reuters, nearly 15 million Americans are now caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, a figure that is expected to climb steadily unless new treatments are found.

Jim Thorpe Area senior Kayla Ann Kandy is working on her capstone project as part of Future Business Leaders of America by raising funds for Alzheimer’s awareness by having a fundraising walk at Penn Forest Park. The capstone project is the highest level project where “students design and implement a project solving a real-world problem. It is an individual, student-driven project.”

The national FBLA chose Alzheimer’s as this year’s cause.

Tonia Thompson, Jim Thorpe Area High School FBLA adviser, said 136 students are involved in FBLA from the school.

Participants in the walk could walk the 1-mile track as long as they chose to.

Eileen Rugh found this out while signing up, asking, “How far do you have to walk?” Volunteer Logan O’Shura sweetly replied, “How far do you want to?”

Rugh’s mother had Alzheimer’s and noted how hard it was for her mother to accept as she valued her independence and then needed constant care.

Donations were accepted for the walk and a bake sale. All of the sweet treats were made by local families and donated.

Kayla Ann contacted over 150 businesses, leading to getting 46 baskets donated for a basket raffle. Eight local families also donated baskets. Baskets included Coca-Cola swag, gift certificates to local restaurants, kids, toys, school swag donated by the Jim Thorpe administration and a STEM activities gift donated by the Jim Thorpe Area School Board.

Spicy bacon, traditional, spicy, hearty, hearty and spicy turkey were the five chili recipes entered in a chili cookoff. Rylee Demshick thought all the flavors were good, but liked the spicy bacon best, as she said, “It has a good kick to it.” An Amazon gift card was given to the winner of the cookoff.

Almost 100 participants entered the fundraising walk. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a cause that affects so many. It was clear Kandy used her business skills, time and effort to make this a fun and successful event.