MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- More than 600 people came together Sunday at Central Park for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising funds and awareness during World Alzheimer’s Month.

The event is the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest fundraiser of the year. Organizers set a goal of raising $87,000 to support research and local caregiver programs.

A highlight of the day was the Promise Garden ceremony, where participants placed color-coded flowers to represent their connection to the disease: orange for supporters, yellow for caregivers, purple in memory of someone lost, and blue for those living with Alzheimer’s.

Event Chair Tara Stokes shared that she walks in honor of her grandmother, who died from Alzheimer’s. 

“It’s really tough, you know, losing your grandmother, but watching her forget who you are is probably even harder. So I walk for her, I fundraise for her, every time I speak about this I just kind of take a deep breath and just remember her and I do this in her honor.”

The event also featured the Notre Dame cheerleaders and leprechaun, joining families and community members in showing support. Donations will continue to be accepted in the coming weeks, for more information click here.