Football Axemen creep closer to 100K in annual Alzheimer collection

Wolfville, N.S. - For nearly 20 years the Acadia football team has prepared for the worst when dealing with January weather. The team, with a 100% commitment by all team members and coaches, take on the elements to canvass the Wolfville, N.S. community of 4500 along with Acadia University's campus to collect for the Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia.

The annual ritual has weathered the storms and freezing temperatures that mother nature has offered and this year's campaign was no exception as football team members trudged through a snow storm to collect over $7500 for the cause.

Defensive Coordinator for the Axemen Shad McLachlan, who spearheads the evening, indicated that they get 100% commitment from the football team members and coaching staff.  "It is an event that they look forward to participating in each year.  The players really get excited about this event, and they do a fantastic job", pointed out McLauchlin.

McLachlan, who hails from Torrance, CA and played football at Acadia, was a part of the event as a player and knows the importance of the team's efforts. "You don't have to look to far to find people all over the country who have been affected by Alzheimer's and our team and Acadia community is no different.  Personally, my grandmother had Alzheimer's and spent the last years of her life in a nursing home.  We have numerous family's within our team and coaching staff that have experienced and are currently dealing with loved ones who have been stricken by this disease".

The motivation to help during the "Forget Me Not" January Alzheimer Society campaign began in 1997 by former head coach Sonny Wolfe who responded to a request from the Nova Scotia Society to assist in their fundraising efforts and continues to be a passion of the Axemen football team.

"Any time we can give back to the local community and to the Province as a whole, is something that we take pride in as a team.  If one night of hitting the streets for a great cause can help in any way that is motivation enough', added McLachlan.

The Acadia football team has raised nearly $100,000 over an 18 year period. Last February McLachlan and head coach Jeff Cummins were both recognized by the Alzheimer's Society at its research breakfast hosted near the Acadia campus.