On a cool, cloudy Sunday afternoon, MSU women’s basketball coach Joanne McCallie led senior citizens, sorority sisters and other community members on a walk around campus for a good cause.

“Last year, it was such a sunny day. This year it’s a little bit colder, but it’s OK,” McCallie said.

McCallie served as honorary chair of Memory Walk 2002, a charity walk sponsored by the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is an organization dedicated to raising money and awareness of the research of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” McCallie said. “It’s just such a nice event.”

McCallie, who was also the honorary chair at last year’s walk, knows personally about the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive, degenerative disease that impairs memory, thinking and behavior.

“My grandparents suffered tremendously from Alzheimer’s,” McCallie said. “They died not recognizing any of their grandkids.”

Along with residents of the Lansing area and MSU students, McCallie brought out members of the women’s basketball team to the walk.

“It’s what this team is about. We’re not just about winning championships, but we’re also reaching out to the community,” McCallie said.

The team members that came out were in admiration of McCallie’s efforts.

“It’s great that she’s doing it,” senior forward Syreeta Bromfield said. “It’s good she’s giving back to the community, and it’s good for us as a team.

McCallie said she’s not only stressed the importance of team members getting involved with the walk, but also the community in general.

“It’s important to bring out awareness, and to be involved as community members,” McCallie said. “It’s good to interact with the community. I understand the importance of these charity walks.”

The walk, which began at 1 p.m. at Breslin Center, included goodie bags, free bottles of water and entertainment for all ages. Proceeds from the walk go to support local programs for about 5,700 Lansing area residents with Alzheimer’s disease.

“By getting the people involved, we raise more dollars. By raising more dollars, we get closer to finding a cure,” McCallie said.

The theme of this year’s walk was “Taking Steps to End Alzheimer’s.” The Lansing Memory Walk was especially important to McCallie.

“It’s good seeing the community come out for a cause I feel a personal connection to,” she said.