Pedal for Alzheimer’s Announces New Grant Available For Senior Living Communities

May 20, 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN–Pedal for Alzheimer’s, Ltd. announces that the third annual 1,098-mile charity bike ride will benefit senior living communities that provide support to residents and families facing Alzheimer’s. Senior care communities that have an emphasis on serving those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and different forms of dementia can now apply for the Community Grant.

In the first two events, the organization has given over $170,000 to Alzheimer’s research, education and support. While the Board of Directors recognizes the need to raise funds for research, the Board also acknowledges the importance to support those individuals, caregivers and communities who are providing daily care. The organization is honored to be able to give back to local communities along this year’s route.

“The whole reason we formed the nonprofit and why this idea came about was to raise money and awareness to support research, care and education for Alzheimer’s,” said Josh Crisp, Pedal for Alzheimer’s Founder. “We realized over the past couple of years that we have provided large gifts to further research and this year, we thought it would be significant for the team members to see the immediate impact of the dollars they are raising. Our team is excited to visit senior living communities along our route and meet staff members and family caregivers who are providing care for those suffering with Alzheimer’s.”

Prior to the 12-day, 1,098-mile cycling event beginning in Knoxville, TN, on September 29 and concluding in Daytona Beach, FL, on October 10, Pedal for Alzheimer’s is accepting applications from senior care communities who would like to be considered for a Community Grants which will be issued during the event.

The mission of Pedal for Alzheimer’s is to organize cycling events to raise money, provide education and increase awareness surrounding the mission of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and the Community Grants are one way the organization can provide immediate help through a financial or in-kind gift.

“PointClickCare is proud to support Pedal for Alzheimer’s—a commitment we have maintained since it began in 2017,” said Travis Palmquist, Vice President and General Manager for Senior Living, PointClickCare. “This initiative has provided a truly unique opportunity to support senior care communities caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Having seen the impact, we have expanded our sponsorship this year and will be supporting participants in a variety of ways.”

The Board of Directors will consider each inquiry. To apply, visit PedalforAlzheimers.org, click on “Contact” and complete the form with 1) Name of community/contact, 2) Address of community, and 3) In what specific way(s) your community will benefit from the Community Grant. Upon the community grant submission, a Pedal for Alzheimer’s representative will follow up with additional questions for those communities who are eligible.

Event title sponsors include Solinity, Podium Sports Medicine, and PointClickCare. The organization encourages interested individuals to join or sponsor the team, cheer the team on along the route, sponsor a rider, donate in honor of a loved one, or contribute to the Community Grants. Interested cyclists can sign-up for the 12-day event, 6-day ride or the day ride in Knoxville at www.pedalforalzheimers.org.

Pedal for Alzheimer’s, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable platform committed to organizing cycling events to raise money, provide education and increase awareness surrounding the mission of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. Pedal for Alzheimer’s was co-founded in 2017 by Josh Crisp and Michelle Brooke-Marciniak, who oversee the organization as board members along with Dr. Joe Graves, Sara Mitchell and Dr. Kevin Sprouse.

Crisp is the founder of Pedal for Pat, a 1,098-mile cycling event created to honor the legacy of the late-legendary University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt who died of Alzheimer’s in 2016. Crisp founded Pedal for Pat out of a desire to extend the legendary Summitt’s platform by raising awareness and donations; the event exceeded expectations for the inaugural ride by leading a team of eight cyclists over 1,098 miles to raise awareness and more than $100,000 to help families and seniors coping Alzheimer’s disease.

The money benefitted The Pat Summitt Foundation and The Pat Summitt Alzheimer’s Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Pedal for Pat was such a success that Crisp and Brooke-Marciniak formed Pedal for Alzheimer’s, Ltd. to broaden the scope of those individuals and families affected by the disease. In just two events, the organization has given over $170,000 to charities that further research, and that provide education, support and care.