Emma Garrard/Nevada Appeal Toni Nielsen of Carson City has been named the 2005 Capitol City Memory Walk chairwoman. She is seeking volunteers to help in all areas of the walk, which will be held Sept. 18.
Longtime Carson City resident Toni Nielsen is one of two wellness instructors at Carson-Tahoe Hospital.
Her duties include performing blood pressure checks at area senior centers, community outreach and giving talks and presentations on senior health-related items.
She is known as "Miss Toni" to hundreds of elementary school students and as "Mommy" to her 5-year-old daughter, Mackenzie.
"I absolutely love what I do," she said.
Nielsen received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology.
Despite her already hectic schedule, Nielsen is taking on even more responsibility.
Barbara Tonge, administrative assistant at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center and the Memory Walk chairwoman the past two years, noticed Nielsen's ability to multitask.
Tonge pegged her as the perfect candidate to take over the Memory Walk.
And Nielsen, an energetic 37-year-old, accepted the challenge.
"I only asked her if I could do it on weekends," Nielsen said. "Carson-Tahoe Hospital is allowing me time to get some of the responsibilities done. They've been wonderful."
A potluck brunch for volunteers and walk organizers is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the senior center, 911 Beverly Drive. Attendees are asked to bring a dish, ideas and enthusiasm for the walk. RSVPs are requested to Tonge at 883-0703.
As she is organizing activities, Nielsen is putting out the call for volunteers.
"I need sponsors, raffle prizes, people to man the staff booth, money. All this so we can put a cure to Alzheimer's," she said. "I need sponsors to provide sandwiches or bottled water and volunteers to hand it out. Things for goodie bags, doughnuts, coffee and orange juice.
"I also want to hold a thank-you lunch for volunteers after the walk so we can brainstorm. There's no way to improve unless you take time to find out what worked well and what didn't."
Nielsen is asking service organizations like Kiwanis, Sertoma or Elks to help. She can be reached at 885-4682.
"Maybe what we need done is right up their alley. If they can somehow help, great. Or they can organize a walk team and participate that way."
The third annual Capitol City Memory Walk is Sept. 18 and begins at the Legislative Plaza. The walk follows the historic Blue Line Tour on Carson City's west side.
n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
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