A walk to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, was held in Parkesburg on July 4. The starting point was the lower baseball field of Minch Park. Although the weather was hot, approximately 150 people were in attendance. The event was conceived by the friends and family of Sue Labiak, a longtime resident of Parkesburg who has ALS.

Every participant was asked to make a donation and was given a blue ALS awareness ribbon to wear. The event began at 10 a.m. with opening comments. Labiak and her family led the walk, which was a little over a mile in length. Labiak's brother and sister-in-law handed out water bottles about halfway through the walk. The water bottles, along with string bags, were provided courtesy of New Holland Heating & Air Conditioning.

Labiak worked at Pepperidge Farm for 40 years, and employees of the company supported the walk. Current Pepperidge Farm employees donated $880, and the company matched half that amount. An additional $495 was donated by retirees.

In addition to the Pepperidge donations, $3,853 was collected at the walk. This amount included $525 from T-shirts made and sold by Alma Morgan Mahoney.

A total of nearly $5,700 was given in honor of Labiak to the ALS Association. This amount does not include online donations.

Organizers plan to make the Parkesburg ALS Walk an annual event in honor of Labiak.