Saturday, Feb. 18, Palm Desert Civic Center Park
By Pamela Bieri
National recording artist/saxophonist Will Donato will perform at The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley 2017 on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park.
Donato has performed at the Walk for the past several years as a tribute to his mother who had Alzheimer’s disease, and in support of the Alzheimer’s Association that provides support and care for Coachella Valley residents, families and caregivers.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s opens with registration at 8 a.m. Opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m. and the Walk gets underway at 9:30 a.m. on a clearly marked course throughout the park, returning to the amphitheater where a health fair and closing festivities take place. Teams and individuals can register for the Walk a act.alz.org/cvwalk2017. Click on the Walk icon for the Coachella Valley Walk in Palm Desert.
The Delgado Band, a popular local group that plays hits from the 60’s to current as well as Latin music, will also perform at the day’s festivities. The band has performed at the Walk for several years. Lead guitarist and singer Guillermo Delgado is the Latin music minister at St. Francis of Assisi, and is also a program specialist for family caregivers through the Riverside County Office on Aging.
Donato will perform at approximately 10:30 a.m. when walkers return and the silent auction and prize drawings conclude at the amphitheater. Donato is an award-winning composer whose 2014 CD release, Universal Groove, is his fifth solo CD release on Innervision Records. His current hit radio single, “JAY WALKIN,” produced by Steve Oliver, is on the Billboard Chart Top 30. Donato has performed with some of the best-known musicians of the genre, namely Al McKay of Earth Wind and Fire, Bruce Conte of Tower of Power, Ricky Lawson Musical Director for Michael Jackson, Steve Reid of The Rippingtons, Steve Oliver, Greg Karukas, Nick Colionne. He also fronted Steve Reid’s Bamboo Forrest for four years.
More than 24 sponsors and health fair exhibitors will be on hand at the 18th annual fundraising walk to meet and visit with walkers, family members, and community volunteers. Funds raised benefit local programs and services for those facing Alzheimer’s and their caregivers as well as invaluable research.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s research and support. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
With 19 years of service to the Coachella Valley, the Alzheimer’s Association California Southland provides support groups for caregivers, a 24-hour Helpline at 800.272.3900, care consultation, educational programs for healthcare providers and the public. It also promotes advocacy and funds research programs nationwide.
The local office is at 69730 Highway 111, Ste. 100, Rancho Mirage; (760) 996-0006, Ext. 8414.
