This past November, for the second year in a row, the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International was honored as the largest school organization fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association's annual Memory Walk. The Memory Walk is the signature national fund-raising activity for the Alzheimer’s Association, with walks occurring in over 600 communities across the United States. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than US$200 million to help those battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Alpha Epsilon chapter, which represents the Emory University School of Nursing in Atlanta, Ga., raised a total of US$3,050 through the Memory Walk, up from US$2,600 raised for the 2005 event. Chapter Memory Walk Chairperson Sally Lehr and active member Sharon Quinn were presented an award from Rhita Phlegar, Developmental Director of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter. "The annual Memory Walk gives me an opportunity to remember my mother and participate in an effort that gives back to the community that helped us through a very tough time. The Atlanta Alzheimer's Association provided unlimited support and information as our family worked through the daily struggles. Their support created lasting friendships and a family dedication to support their continued efforts,” said Sharon Quinn. Both Sally and Sharon acted as prime motivators to involve Alpha Epsilon Chapter members in this important community service event.

To encourage all members to participate each year they take the following steps:

1. Send out notices of the upcoming Walk several times (with ongoing updates on how many have registered and how many dollars have been raised) to everyone on our chapter e-mail list of 350 people. Give step-by-step instructions on how to register for the team on the Alzheimer’s Georgia Web site.
2. Send out several e-mail notices to ALL the faculty, staff and students in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, with the same detailed information.
3. Announce the Walk verbally to junior and senior BSN nursing classes.
4. After the Walk, we send out e-mail notices to the above groups to let them know how many walked and how many dollars we raised and invite them to join us the following year.
5. After we received the award, we sent out the notice to our e-mail list and to the students, staff and faculty of the nursing school.

Said member Amanda McCullough (with fellow member Mindi Fry on Walk day) of her experience: "I had a really great time at the Memory Walk.  It was a great way to begin getting involved in Sigma Theta Tau International!  I got to meet some of the Emory chapter members as well as have fun outdoors while doing something good for an important issue. I am definitely going to go back next year!”