COEUR d’ALENE — Each flower in the Promise Garden at Riverstone Park on Saturday morning symbolized something much deeper to those who placed them.

Purple flowers represented loss of a loved one to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. 

Each yellow flower was placed by someone supporting or caring for someone living with the disease. 

Orange flowers represented those who share the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s, and behind each blue flower was someone living with it themselves.

About 200 people participated in the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. KHQ-TV news anchor John Webb told the crowd that, one day, the Association will add a white flower to the Promise Garden.

That white flower will represent the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.

“Until that day happens, we must not back down,” Webb said.

The Alzheimer’s Association has so far raised $39,200 of this year’s goal of $42,000. The money raised by the nonprofit helps make their support services, outreach, and research efforts possible.

In Kootenai County, 9.5% of people ages 65 years or older are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, according to the latest available data from the association. Nearly 30,000 people within this age group suffer from the disease statewide.

Steve Coulston, an Edward Jones financial adviser in Rathdrum, said the disease is a frequent concern of clients when discussing long-term financial strategy.

“You’d be surprised that one of the things that comes up all the time is getting Alzheimer’s, or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s,” Coulston said.

    Nearly 200 participants — and some four-legged friends — participated in the 2025 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday.
  

    Each flower in the Promise Garden set up at Riverstone Park on Saturday symbolized participants in the 2025 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's personal connection to the disease.
  

    Participants in the 2025 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's hold up flowers that symbolize their personal connection to the disease Saturday in Coeur d'Alene.