Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite mascot! Although the competition was fiercely cute, Charlie pulled ahead and was crowned our very special 10th anniversary Walk4ALZ 2026 Pet Mascot! Charlie will be featured on the Walk4ALZ postcard, so keep an eye out for his adorable face in your mail!
A Little About Charlie
David and his family adopted Charlie from a rescue in 2024. Originally named “Charles Barkley”, Charlie was the last puppy from his litter to be adopted. It was love at first sight and David knew Charlie would make a wonderful addition to the family, especially for David’s two young daughters.
One of Charlie’s favorite things to do is cuddle and he makes sure to spend at least part of the night sleeping in every family member’s bed. He also loves going on evening walks around the neighborhood. Since his adoption, Charlie has formed a strong bond with his two (human) sisters and has “truly made himself an important part of the family,” says his owner David.
Why Walk4ALZ Matters to Charlie’s Family
Charlie’s family has a personal connection to Walk4ALZ and “seeing the impact of Alzheimer’s on someone you love, as well as on the entire family, makes this cause especially meaningful.” For the family, supporting a cause where funds stay in San Diego to directly support people living with dementia and the people who care for them is so important. As David says, “knowing that our participation helps people in our own community makes supporting Alzheimer’s San Diego particularly important to our family.”
Alzheimer’s San Diego supports hundreds of people affected by dementia in your community every month through free education, support groups, social activities, and more. Programs remain free and accessible thanks to generous donations from people like you who care deeply about their community.
Charlie is So Excited for Walk4ALZ, Are You Coming Too?
Join Charlie and his family at the 10th anniversary Walk4ALZ on Saturday, October 17th at Balboa Park – they’ll be leading it off! If you have any questions about registering for Walk4ALZ, creating a fundraising page, raising money for your team, or how to join a team, reach out for assistance through our Walk4ALZ hotline at 858.966.3319 or email walk4alz@alzsd.org.
All funds raised stay 100% local to serve the community you know and love. Together, we can make a difference!
By Heidi Emmenegger
Posted on September 30th, 2026
