Local Parkinson’s agency hosting free ‘Vitality Walk’ to raise awareness of the disease

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - The Parkinson's Association of the Rockies (PAR) is hosting its annual "Pueblo Vitality Walk" on Saturday to bring the community together in its fight against Parkinson's.

Participants can register for free at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The walk starts at 9 a.m. from the Pueblo Boathouse event center on the Riverwalk. There will be two loops: a one-mile loop and a one and a half-mile loop.

These vitality walks are what allow us to go from having one class a week to having two classes a week," PAR boxing instructor Hugh Parker said. "It's really rewarding to see how they progress from barely being able to move, not having any confidence, to improving their agility, improving their endurance, and just feeling better about life in general."

Teams have been fundraising for weeks ahead of the walk. The money benefits PAR and its dozens of free programs for people with Parkinson's in Colorado and Wyoming. PAR is not part of a bigger national organization, and all the money benefits people in those two Rocky Mountain States.

The walk itself is more about community and awareness. Donations are accepted, but not required. Participants can park in the parking garage off of Main Street across from the Senior Resource Development Agency.

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