This past weekend, two walks raised nearly $50,000 for causes right here in Butler County.

On Sunday, more than 200 people attended the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Township and jointly raised more than $40,000 in support of the research and programs of the national Alzheimer’s Association.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people people came together at Zelienople Community Park for the fifth Armstrong “A Walk For Hunger” and raised a total of $8,500 to gather resources for people facing food insecurity. The walk raises money for community programs including the Lighthouse Foundation, Southwest Butler Food Cupboard, Gleaner's Food Bank, Victory Family Church and Holy Redeemer Social Services in Ellwood City.

The walks raised valuable, much-needed funds for their respective causes, but these events also raise awareness for the causes and organizations that work to fight Alzheimer’s disease and food insecurity.

Such walks shine a spotlight on these organizations so that even those who didn’t attend the event may know about them. Perhaps someone else wants to support the cause. Perhaps someone needs the services offered.

It’s important public exposure for these groups.

All in all, it’s great to see these types of events, as hundreds of people turn out after many months of social isolation during the pandemic. It’s wonderful when people rally behind a cause and contribute in a tangible way.

We applaud the efforts of this past weekend and look forward to covering other such fundraisers in the future.

— TL