Rain fell Saturday morning at the Alzheimer's Memory Walk at Waller Park in Santa Maria, where one organizer thinks the wet weather generated camaraderie among participants.

The event was “more social this year,” planning committee member CeCe Cruz-Arroyo said.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association, and the walk raises awareness and money for care, support and research for the disease.

Along with donations, money is raised to fight Alzheimer's through the $25 paid by walk participants, as well as by the silent auction held at the event, said Bob Morrison, master of ceremonies and a planning committee member.

The effort raised $17,234 as of Saturday, according to the walk's Web site.

The rain had let up by mid-morning as vigorous warm-up exercises were performed by dozens upon dozens of participants gathered at Lakeside Terrace by the duck ponds.

Mary Morton, president of Kiwanis Club of Orcutt, turned out for the walk with members of her club and Righetti High School's Key Club, who were sponsored by Kiwanis.

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“I think it's marvelous. It's wonderful,” she said of the event.

Alzheimer's is a cause close to Morton's heart because her father died from the disease in July.

Having completed the warm-up, Morton and the others headed down a path to start their walk, which would follow a planned 5-kilometer route around the park. A shorter route also was available.

The group left headquarters near the lake in a sea of purple T-shirts, umbrellas and rain slickers as the song “Rhythm Of The Rain” sounded from speakers.

Cruz-Arroyo did not go on the walk, and instead stayed at headquarters at the booth of the Lions Club of Santa Maria, a sponsor of the walk. She was joined there by other members of the club.

“I think it's great that everybody turned out with the rain,” said Lions Club member Donna Manuel.

The walk, put on by the Alzheimer's Association and sponsored by numerous local agencies and businesses, had not taken place in Santa Maria for three years, Cruz-Arroyo said. She said the event, which is held nationally, started in Santa Maria 11 or 12 years ago.

Cruz-Arroyo said that before moving to the Santa Maria area 13 years ago, she worked with Alzheimer's patients at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Southern California.

“It was a big eye-opener for me,” she said.

“I'm really passionate for the Alzheimer's,” Cruz-Arroyo said.

Samantha Yale can be reached at 739-2159 or syale@santamariatimes.com.

October 5, 2008