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Proceeds from the walk go not
only to arthritis research but also
to fund the various programs
for people of all ages, includ-
ing classes such as in yoga and
aquatics aimed at keeping people
active so their arthritis is less
hurtful.
“
These are low-impact activi-
ties but they are important ones
to keep people moving. It may
hurt more at first but eventually
the pain eases and it becomes
helpful. It also helps people with
weight loss. For every pound
a person loses it’s four pounds
of pressure off of their lower
joints,” Stewart said.
There is no cost to participate
in any of the events, including
the Arthritis Walk. “While we
do hope people will help us
raise money, we really just want
people to come and hang out
with us,” she said. Maybe then,
she added, they can get with a
team and help with third-party
events. “We encourage third-
party events, like bake sales or
car washes; things like that. It all
is important,” Stewart said.
Other pre-walk events include
the annual early riser event at
Emo’s Ice Cream at War Memori-
al Drive and Prospect Road. Pro-
ceeds from chili dogs sales from
5:30
a.m. to 10 a.m. are donated
to the Arthritis Foundation. The
event is on Emo’s opening day
each spring.
Stewart said she is looking into
having a “Doggy Egg Hunt” at a
local dog park in the spring. It’s
sort of like an Easter Egg Hunt
but with a twist: Instead of eggs,
the dogs will be looking for dog
treats strewn about the park.
“
That could be a lot of fun for
the dogs and their owners. We’ll
try to do other events, also. We
want to think outside the box,”
Stewart said.
Not For
Profit
