Cars stopped at intersections on Broad Street, Shotwell Street and Broughton Street to make way for a line of hundreds of people wearing purple on Saturday morning.

The 1-mile walk around town was done to spread awareness for Alzheimer’s Disease and help raise money for a cure.

Nobody was sure how the inaugural Walk to End Alzheimer’s would go in Bainbridge. Those who attended the event were wide-eyed with amazement. Three-hundred and forty-four people signed up to walk.

Even more amazing, the event raised $73,255.

The original goal was to raise $30,000, but when the committee reached it, it was doubled to $60,000. It was met with flying colors.

“I am absolutely pleased,” said event chairperson Thea Burke. “It was a great committee. Everybody just worked hard and it turned out great. We had a lot of great volunteers, too.”

Held annually in more than 600 communities across the country, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and money for the disease’s care, research and support.

The walk is not a race. Instead, walkers were encouraged to walk at a comfortable pace and raise awareness along some of Bainbridge’s most traveled roads.

Those who weren’t able to participate in the walk but would still like to donate money can still do so through Nov. 30. Donations can be made online by accessing the Bainbridge walk on www.alz.org/walk. Click “Find your walk” and enter the 39819 zip code to choose the Bainbridge walk.

For additional help to family members or caretakers, they can call the 24/7 helpline at 1 (800) 272-3900. The helpline serves people with memory loss, caregivers, health care professionals and the public.

For regional help, you can call Buffy Hankinson, programs director for the Tifton Office, at (229) 238-9942.