WYTHEVILLE, Va. (Sept. 2, 2015) -- A member at St. Paul United Methodist Church has already received donations totaling $740 from her congregation and hopes to receive more by walking in an Alzheimer’s awareness event.

Sara Gearheart said that she called on her church for help as she participates in her fourth “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.”

“My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010,” he said. “I’m doing this walk for him. He has always supported me and now it’s my time to support him.”

Gearheart’s supporting team, which they call “The Journey,” joined her in taking the “Purple Pledge” on June 21 for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. “The purple pledge is to turn your social media purple, to wear purple the whole month of June, and to make a donation toward the Alzheimer’s Association.”

Gearheart had raised a total $1,037 by Sept. 2 and will join a two-mile fundraiser walk on Sept. 25 in Blacksburg, Va.