Where does all the money go?

When we give money, time and abilities to organizations, we always want to know it is going to help meet needs...we usually expect to see some results from our donations.
People who give to religious organizations expect certain results, while those who support health care organizations expect other results. Organizations that deal with teens must meet needs while services to the homebound need to meet their specific needs.
Here at Feet of Memory (FOM) we raise funds to help well-established organizations in the field of Alzheimer's research, education and services. Our Board established that 75% of funds raised in 2012 and 2013 will go to the Alzheimer's Association with the other 25% to Feet of Memory operations to help us plan and implement Geoffrey's walks and the events needed to raise awareness and funds. These numbers exceed a standard of 65% to services.
We chose to support the Alzheimer's Association in 2012/13 because they offer a tremendous number of services to families, caregivers and individuals dealing with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The human touch element of the Alzheimer's Association's services supports the many emotional as well as health needs that AD brings. These services alone are well worth Geoffrey's extreme endurance walk from Key West to Maine. But this organization also supports research and education...each of which requires a great deal of money.
As you support Feet of Memory you are supporting an organization that knows and appreciates the numerous services of the Alzheimer's Association .Through our walks, we help by raising greater awareness and funds on their behalf and that of the countless families served across America.

The other foot

In case you've ever wondered about who writes most of these blogs, it is I, Mrs Rose Darling. Geoffrey is out again in this 'stinkin' humidity, walking and keeping up his training. We have a board meeting tomorrow and the two of us have much to prepare.

Me in Dublin, Ireland,

October 2011



As Geoffrey pounds the pavement in his extreme walk from Key west to Maine, I plan to present a special program I co-wrote and presented numerous times for older adults with mild to mid-memory loss. It's a faith-based program, non-denominational, interactive and illustrative especially developed for small groups of about 12 people, but may be presented (successfully so) to much larger groups.

"Lessons in a Lunchbox" (c) 2002, packs illustrative items into an old-fashioned domed lunchbox for use in sharing the biblical story. A favorite 'lesson' is that of Ruth from the Old Testament. It is a story of family love and devotion, of strength in the midst of hard times, and faith. Songs and traditional hymns, psalms, and activities accompany the storytelling. Family photos, stalks of barley wheat and other tactile items also help stimulate the senses and memories.
When it was first introduced  to an Alzheimer's unit in 2002, a reporter from the Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, wrote how caregivers as well as those with memory loss were touched by the program. Several had tears in their eyes as they witnessed their loved one singing and even discussing some of the topics.

Anyway, while Geoffrey is walking, I will offer this program to retirement homes, adult day service centers, Alzheimer's support groups and others.

For many years I worked in retirement services as an activities director and in marketing/pr. It was while I was "Church Visitation Director" (a marketing position) for Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation that "Lessons in a Lunchbox" was written in response to a pastor's request to give church groups appropriate materials for use in services in retirement communities and nursing homes.

"Feet of Memory" is NOT a religious organization and "Lessons in a Luncbox" is NOT in any way an attempt to win people over to one way of religious thought. The two ("Feet of Memory" and "Lessons in a Lunchbox"are not inter-related. This is my interjection into the journey. I have to have something more than sight-seeing to do while he is walking! :-)
"Lessons" is a program based on traditional and historical songs, hymns, biblical verses and interactive discussions. I love presenting the program, and each time, I've been amazed at the response of people who rarely respond to anything! Family members and caregivers are invited to attend.

So, if you know a retirement community or other group similar to those mentioned above who would like to know more about this program, please contact me at feetmemory@yahoo.com. The program just costs $60.00 and I provide the leadership, all illustrative items, song sheets and take-home projects. The facility provides at least one helper, or more depending on group size, and refreshments, if desired. The program lists suggested snacks.

About Rose M Darling

EDUCATION
American Military University. MA in International Relations
Western Illinois University. BA in General Studies
Kent State University. Studies in music performance and journalism
Many courses in fundraising and development


SELECT EXPERIENCE
Music director/organist/choir director for several churches across Ohio and in New Zealand. Presently with First Church, Canton, Ohio
Freelance journalist/writer in Ohio, New Zealand.
Co-authored "The Elf Princess."
Playwright "Songs Sung Blues" and "Benders at 11"


THE HOME SIDE
Wife of Geoffrey (2005 to forever)
Mother of three sons Charlie, David and Jeffery
M-I-L to Brenda, Vikki and Lynn
Grandma to Dylan, Morgan and Peyton
Sister to Victoria and Faythe
Cancer survivor through the grace of God, modern medicine and the TLC of those around me.

Dark Clouds of Memory Loss

Sometimes a call would come in the middle of the night, "Your mother was walking around the mall at 2 a.m. in her nightgown. She's safe. Please come and get her."

A full-security rest home was needed. In New Zealand's beautiful resort town of Rotorura, Pat Darling lived comfortably in a rest home for over 20 years. Gradually, she slipped from occasional lucidity to not recognizing her own family for many years. It is her life in the dark clouds of memory loss that Geoffrey honors through Feet of Memory. His extreme walk from Key West to Maine on historic US Rt. 1 begins on the anniversary of her birth - 17 March.

Allow Geoffrey's walk to honor your loved one also.
Consider becoming a donor at one of the following levels:

Path Builders: $20-50

Walkway Builders: $51-250

Road Builders: $251-500

Highway Partner : $501-1,000

Historic Route Guide: $1,001-and above

Thank you.

Feet of Memory is a nonprofit organization developed to raise funds to support Alzheimer's disease research, education and services through extreme, endurance walks.Please LIKE us on Facebook.

FACTS about Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease cannot be (yet) be controlled, stopped or slowed and is a leading cause of death in the United States.

So, who is this man and why is he walking 2,400 miles in 2013?

Geoffrey Darling, co-founder and co-executive director of Feet of Memory is determined to do as much as he can while he can to help END Alzheimer's disease. He watched his mother Pat walk deeper into the thickening clouds of memory loss for 24 years. Her journey ended in March 2012, but countless others around the world must face the dark clouds that blot out the light of memory.

By walking extreme, endurance walks such as the one planned from Key West to Maine, he aims to raise as much money and awareness to enable the Alzheimer's Association continue and expand its research, education, advocacy and support services to bring an end to this disease.

YOU can help by enabling Geoffrey and Feet of Memory with your support. Have your friends follow this blog and our Facebook page to read about specific ways you can help and to follow our progress as we work toward this mega-walk in March 2013.

This blog will soon be remodeled to better inform you of who we are and our progress, thanks to YOU, our readers and supporters.

Deer Hawk

You never know what you will see along the Towpath. While on a 30-mile training walk yesterday, Geoffrey came across this stately hawk and soon realized its wing was injured. Park ranger phone numbers are posted along the Towpath, but he could find none, but fortunately someone had, and as Geoffrey walked nearer, he heard the call about a distressed hawk. Hopefully help was swift and they were able to help it.
A large deer also bounded from the wooded areas across the path...a bit startling, but wonderful, to see!
During these last weeks of summer and early autumn here in northeast Ohio, color abounds. Already we notice spots of red and yellow on trees, and the bees are out full force doing what they do this time of the year.

If you have a loved one with mild to moderate dementia, why not take them on a walk or in a chair if needed, into a place of natural beauty? This may trigger memories of years gone by, and if not, they and you, will enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as well as the company of someone you love.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education and support services for families and friends of those with increasing memory loss. Visit www.alz.org for information about research and much more. Find a support group in your area. Support fundraising events for this important work.

Feet of Memory was created to support the Alzheimer's Association through endurance, extreme walks and theatrical performances. We will soon have a calendar of events you may attend...and we hope you will if you are in the area. We will skype these events as much as possible so you may be a part of it, too!

We have a wish list that you can help us with. They will soon be posted on our website which is under construction, but available to view now. These items such as gift cards to chain restaurants and gasoline stations will help Feet of Memory fulfill its goal to raise money....LOTS of money for the Alzheimer's Association and its research, education and support services. Geoffrey will walk the 2,400 miles from Key west to Maine along historic U.S. Rt 1, through "Americana" at its best as well as some of the largest cities in the USA. You can join him on portions of the walk near you! We will post a map on the website at www.feetofmemory.com. Gather some friends, and pledges, and walk 5, 10, 20 miles with him to help end Alzheimer's disease. You'll never know what wonders of nature YOU will discover along the way.

Contact feetmemory@yahoo.com for details.

Longest Day

Feet of Memory is a 'nonprofit organization' with the goal of raising money through extreme, endurance walks and theatrical performances in support of the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association's emphases on research, education and support services are helping find ways to end Alzheimer's disease. Feet of Memory will walk from Key West to Maine in 2013 to raise funds to help end Alzheimer's disease.

http://www.ohioeriecanal.org/trail.html

On this beautiful morning, Geoffrey is doing a 30-mile walk on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath. If you are not familiar with this bit of history, follow the link above. This photo is of a lock along the Towpath trail.

Today, Geoffrey packed several containers of water and some granola bars and we'll meet up later for a little picnic lunch.

A few days ago he bought some socks (some very expensive socks, I must add) that are designed to absorb sweat and keep his feet dry...helping to keep down chances of rubbing blisters. They seem to work very well, so it's worth the cost.

A very inexpensive insect-repellent he uses with great success may sound silly, but it works for him. He tucks a dryer softener sheet into his back pocket....so far he has avoided insect bites! As you know, early morning is prime time for those pesky little critters to come out looking for their breakfast, but Geoffrey is not on the menu!

Loony!

Who is your favorite Looney Tunes character? Mine is Tweety Bird, but Bugs Bunny takes a close second. I especially enjoy the opera segments. Remember those? In fact, Bugs pretty well introduced many youngsters to the world of opera. Sure it was funny, but at least we heard another genre of music than what was heard on pop radio. I can't say that Bugs Bunny was a catalyst for me to study singing, but perhaps he was!



What's all this talk about Looney Tunes? Well.....Feet of Memory is planning a very special Operatoonity for a fun, family, fund-raiser.

So, as soon as we get our 'star' performer booked, we will post the information. This will be a show to remember!

In the meantime, keep on walkin'!


 Feet of Memory utilizes endurace, extreme walks and theatrical performances to raise awareness and fuds for the Alzheimer's Association and its goals to end Alzheimer's Disease. We support this organizations research, education and support services. Geoffrey Darling wil embark on a 2,400 mile walk from Key West to Maine on historic U.S. Rt 1 in March 2013 to raise money for the Association. Follow this blog to add your financial and volunteer support to help us help end Alzheimer's Disease.

Special jewelry designs

Geoffrey's mother Pat was born on St. Patrick's day, March 17, and the birthstone for that day is aquamarine, Lynn Marie Jewelry is creating handcrafted aquamarine jewelry especially for Feet of Memory. Each will have a little fairie charm at the clasp to commemorate Pat's enchantment with them. Some jewelry pieces will be available for purchase in the near future. Above is a little sample from her school colors line in pea pod and bird's nests designs. Check out her website at dmp.jewelry.webs.com.

We are establishing a Board of Remembrance where you may recognize your loved one(s) who walked through the thickening clouds of memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. We will give you details on how you may honor them in the near future.

In the meantime, we hope it's a lovely day for you and that you will get out and take a walk! Geoffrey is out on the Towpath this morning keeping up his training for his extreme walk from Key West to Maine!

Please visit us at Facebook.

Super Saturday

YOU can help get Feet of Memory up and run...errr...walking as we work toward the mega-walk, an extreme walk, and endurance walk from Key West to Maine. Geoffrey is out doing about 16 training miles this morning. He is so dedicated to his goal of walking those 2,400 miles from March 17, 2013 to Independence Day.

We seek five (5) to ten (10) volunteers to host a SALE...garage, yard, moving, bake, or other, in October for a Super Saturday Sale Day. We would prefer all the sales to be on one Saturday in October, but if that is not possible, any Saturday in October will be great!

Watch for details here tomorrow.

PLEASE link your friends and family to our blog so they may get involved, too!

The Mission of Feet of Memory (non-profit): Enabling endurance walks and presentations in support of research, support and education to end Alzheimer's disease.

Facebook Connection

Geoffrey out on a training walk along the Towpath

Our favorite Walker is out on a gorgeous day following a terrific Board meeting. Things are rolling along now and in the next few days and weeks, we will have a great deal more specifics to tell you. But for now, the daily training continues, fundraising events are in the planning-process, and we are getting the word out about Geoffrey's extreme walk. Will you help us please? If you read this blog, will you share it with friends and family, and also go to Facebook and search Feet of Memory for additional exposure to the general public.

On FB we are starting a discussion about how Alzheimer's disease has touched your life. Did or does your grandmother have memory loss? How do you feel when your loved one doesn't know your name? Please go to Facebook and ehlp start the discussion.

Rainy Days and Fridays

The rains they be a-comin' soon, but that's OK. It's nice and warm and a rain poncho will be quite enough to cover up our Walker. He's out for a 3-hour + trek on the Towpath today as the training continues.

If you have any great fund and awareness-raising ideas and would share them , we would love to hear them. We have a good many ideas and preliminary plans waiting for Board approval tomorrow, but we know many heads are better than one or two when it comes to ideas. If your organization has made lots of money via fundraisers, share how, please.....

I promised a wish list....here are some of the biggest needs that will enable us to help meet the needs for research, education and support services of the Alzheimer's Association.www.alz.org

WISH LIST for Feet of Memory

Here are FOUR ITEMS we need to help the extreme walk from Key West florida to Ft Kent Maine in 2013 be a success. The more that is donated to Feet of Memory, the more funds we send to the Alzheimer's Association to help fund research, education, and support services.

A good Class B RV or camper van....borrow, gift or purchase
Gasoline gift cards
Vouchers, redeemable points or gift cards for hotels such as Choice Hotels
Major chain restaurant gift cards

Our status with the IRS will soon allow us to send you a tax-deductible receipt! So wait to send your donation or gift if you want that tax-deduction. Our website is under construction, and the address and donation information will soon be posted. This is a work-in-progress and we appreciate your patience.

Itinerary looks dauntingly fun

St Paddy's Day minus 223 and all's well - with 450 training miles under the belt and 1950 to go - until I realise that, when translated to the actual walk from Key West to Fort Kent, Maine, that does not even get us out of Florida. Or even to the second scheduled rest day. At mile-peg 450 we will be a day's march from St Augustine Beach and still three days from reaching Georgia - so even though a gentle nine mile walk beckons today we know the time has come to put in some testing 25-miles plus walks. Question is, when can we spare the time for the all-day effort and the all-week recovery.  As summer threatens to close down temperatures in sunny Ohio and bring this Golden Weather to an End, I want to get the daily average required to below 8 miles per day by the beginning of December - because I want to have walked 2400 miles in training since May 23 ( when records began, as they say in the weather forecasts) - the  required average is still 8.71 daily miles and the completed average - well let's math the do. 450/ 82 is 5.48 per day! - that's a revelation. I thought things were better than that.  Too many days off, too much self-indulgence and not enough reality. Nevertheless the physical results are still good and the pulse rate is 46.
So take a quick look at the schedule and see if you agree that, even at eight months out, we need to get urgent -

Florida                                               miles

March 17:  Key West to Big Pine Key     30 

March 18: Big Pine Key to Marathon     18

March 19:  Marathon to Layton              20

March 20: Layton to Key Largo               31

March 21: Key Largo to Homestead       30

March 22: Homestead to Cutter Bay     12

March 23: Cutter Bay to Miami Beach   23

March 24: Miami Bch to Ft Lauderdale 24

March 25: Ft Lauderdale to Delray Bch  29

March 26: Delray to West Palm Beach  19

March 27: Day off walking

March 28: W.Palm Bch to Hobe Sound  27

Good Friday: Hobe to White City           24

March 30: White City to Vero Beach      27

Easter Sunday: Vero to Grant                 22

April 1: Grant to Palm Shores                                21

April 2: Palm Shores to Titusville           30

April 3: Titusville to Bethune Beach       24

April 4: Bethune to Daytona                   23

April 5: Daytona to Flagler                     20

April 6: Flagler to St Augustine Beach   28

April 7: Day off walking

April 8: St Augustine Bch to Bayard       25

April 9: Bayard to Jacksonville                17

April 10: Jacksonville to Callahan           20

Georgia

April 11: Callahan to Folkston                                22

April 12: Folkston to Waycross Forest   27

April 13: Waycross F. to Alma                                32

April 14: Alma to Baxley                         20

April 15: Baxley to Toombs Central        19

April 16: Toombs to Oak Park                 24

April 17: Day off walking

April 18: Day off walking

April 19: Oak Park to Swansboro            18

April 20: Swansboro to Louisville           30

April 21: Louisville to Blythe                   29

April 22: Blythe to North Augusta          21

April 23: North August to Ridge Spring  32

South Carolina

April 24: Ridge Spring to Lexington        28

April 25: Lexington to Dentsville            18

April 26: Dentsville to Camden               25

April 27: Camden to McBee                   27

April 28: McBee to Cheraw                    28

April 29: Cheraw to  Rockingham           20

North Carolina

April 30:  Rockingham to Aberdeen       26

May 1: Day off walking

May 2: Aberdeen to Sanford                  30

May 3: Sanford to Jordan Lake               21

May 4: Jordan Lake to Raleigh               25

May 5: Raleigh to Wake Forest              17

May 6: Wake Forest to Henderson        27

May 7: Henderson to Palmer Springs    24

May 8: Palmer Sp. to  Meredithville      26

Virginia

May 9: Meredithville to McKenny          18

May 10: McKenny to Petersburg            26

May 11: Petersburg to Richmond           22

May 12: Day of walking

May 13: Richmond to Ashland               16

May 14: Ashland to Co.606                     27

May 15: Co.606 to Aquila Park               24

May 16: Aquila Park to Springfield         27

May 17: Day off walking

May 18: Springfield to College Park       24

Maryland

May 19: College Park to Baltimore        26

May 20: Baltimore to Bel Air                 23

May 21: Bel Air to Rising Sun                 22

May 22: Rising Sun to Kennett Square   24

Pennsylvania

May 23: Kennett Sq. to Drexel Hill         24

May 24: Drexel  to Philadelphia East     24

May 25: Phil. East to  Princeton             25

New Jersey

May 26: Princeton to Woodbridge         26

May 27: Woodbridge to Newark            15

May 28: Newark to Pelham Manor        27

New York

May 29: Pelham Manor to Rye               9

May 30: Day off walking

May 31: Rye to Norwalk                         19

Connecticut

June 1: Norwalk to Milford                     21

June 2: Milford to Guilford                     24

June 3: Guilford to Old Lyme                  25

June 4: Old Lyme to Mystic                    23

June 5: Mystic to Kingston                      30

Rhode Island

June 6: Kingston to Cranston                  24

June 7: Cranston to South Walpole        24

Massachussets

June 8: South Walpole  to Quincy          22

June 9: Quincy to Revere                        15

June 10: Day off walking

June 11:  Revere to Newburyport           30

June 12: Newburport to Portsmouth      20

New Hampshire

June 13: Portsmouth to Kenneburk        26

Maine

June 14: Kenneburk to Portland              26

June 15: Portland to Brunswick              26

June 16: Brunswick to Damoriscotta      26

June 17: Damoriscotta to Rockland        27

June 18: Day off walking

June 19: Rockland to Belfast                  20

June 20: Belfast to East Orland              22

June 21: East Orland to Hancock            24

June 22: Hancock to Addison                  31

June 23: Addison to East Macha            22

June 24: East Macha to Pembroke         27

June 25: Pembroke to Calais                  26

June 26: Calais to Princeton                   20

June 27: Princeton to Houlton Road       26

June 28: Houlton Rd to Amity                                30

June 29: Amity to Monticello                 27

June 30: Monticello to Presque Isle       28

July 1: Presque Isle to Caribou                13

July 2: Caribou to Van Buren                  22

July 3: Van Buren to Madawaska           24

July 4: Madawaska to Fort Kent             20         

    

Board on a Mission

Nobody likes meetings...unless they are the exciting planning meetings to get Feet of Memory up and walking from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine! Saturday, the Board meets to plan and organize all those details that make a project successful.

On the community fundraising side of the drawing board are several ideas including theatrical performances, a Winter Wonderland Walkathon and Festival, super-Saturday garage and bake sales, and lots more. We even have special hand-crafted jewelry and products you can wear with pride and to show support.

Statistically, Alzheimer's Disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. However, few diseases span as many years with such devastating tolls to the individual, their family, and friends. Geoffrey's mother Pat had A.D. for 24 years with progressively deteriorating memory and physical losses. In her honor, and to help end, yes, END, this dreadful disease, Geoffrey will do his extreme walk of the 2,400 miles of U.S. Route 1, the historic highway. Along the way, he will ask the community to come out and walk with him, to sponsor special events which may include one of his solo theatrical performances. Geoffrey is a trained and highly skillful international stage actor with a long list of theatrical credits. You will soon be able to view a snippet performance on the website that is currently under construction.

The Alzheimer's Association offers education, research and support services for those touched by A.D. and Feet of Memory's mission is to raise money and awareness toward this work.

We need volunteers and resources to make it happen. We need you and soon we will post a new website with details on the Feet of Memory organization and its work and how you can help us make a major difference in research, education and support to end Alzheimer's Disease.

12 and counting

Another training walk of 12 miles is now history as Geoffrey racks up more and more miles toward 2,400 training miles prior to his actual extreme walk. He has 1976 training miles to go in 226 days - an average of 8.74 per day. With an occasional day of rest, he is out pounding the pavement or dirt track. To remind you, he is walking 2,400 miles on US 1, the historic highway,to raise funds for research, education and support services offered by the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org.

Maintaining fitness over the coming colder weather (yes, it will come in a few months) will be a bit challenging, but that's what Planet Fitness is for!

Geoffrey aims to be as lightweight as possible for the extreme walk from Key West to Ft Kent Maine. He'll have to carry some essential items like fluids, rain wear, first aid items and food which, of course, will add to the weight.

Some fundraising and awareness-raisers are on the drawing table and we will let you know when we have some definite plans!

And moving right along....

As we begin to set up our board for our non-for-profit organization that will raise funds to support Alzheimer's Disease research, education and services, we have two board members signed up --and received our first donation toward the walk!

There is much to be done...fundraising, continuation of physical training toward the extreme walk from Key West Florida to Ft. Kent Maine, media coverage, and volunteers to make it happen.

Here are some of the ways you can help:
Donations of gift cards to national chain restaurants, gasoline gift cards, hotel rooms along the route, and the biggest - loan of a small RV or camper van as our support vehicle AND point-to-point volunteer drivers. I'll repeat these as we gain more readership. If YOU can help, please respond. All cash donations will be tax-deductible when the non-profit status is finalized.

A website will soon be prepared to more fully outline the project and how you can help make possible this 2,400 mile extreme walk to help end Alzheimer's Disease.