In the movie “Back to the Future,” Doc Brown tells main character Marty McFly, “If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything.”

Actor Michael J. Fox, who played McFly, has made this his motto as he’s battled Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. While the cause is unknown, Parkinson’s has a long list of progressive symptoms including tremors, limited movement and dementia.

From Monday, April 8 through Sunday, April 14, NWI Parkinson’s will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store, and those extra funds will be donated to the organization.

NWI Parkinson’s board member Madeline Wilson says the proceeds of the Round Up will help support the group’s educational events, exercise classes and social interaction activities that touch on all needs and phases of the lives of those they serve.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation website, nearly 1 million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. This number is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030, as about 90,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year. Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. (Parkinson.org). NWI Parkinson’s serves more than 150 people afflicted with Parkinson’s throughout Northwest Indiana.

The organization offers its services free. They include virtual and in-person activities such as bimonthly Zoom calls on nutrition, mental health and physical challenges; monthly Pearls of Wisdom sessions with a doctor or pharmaceutical rep who discusses the latest technology for treatments; exercise classes including cardio-drumming for hand coordination, dance classes for balance, kickboxing and rigorous workout classes for overall toning, strength and balance; social events; and more.

There is also an annual educational symposium that features neurologists, neurosurgeons and other physicians who speak on topics related to Parkinson’s. Wilson says this year’s all-day event takes place this Saturday, April 13, at the Lincoln Center in Highland.

“Many pharmaceutical reps and doctors say they’ve never seen anything like NWI Parkinson’s before, including throughout the Chicagoland area and Michigan. They are so impressed with the number of activities we offer and the number of people who faithfully attend our programs,” notes Wilson. “Members say we foster a feeling of family, and they’ve made many, many good friends because of what we offer. We all work as volunteers; no one collects a salary. We feel very honored to help people afflicted with Parkinson’s and we’re grateful our organization will benefit from the Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge Round Up.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more thanr 94-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities they serve throughout Northwest Indiana.

President and CEO Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and the commitment of Strack & Van Til employees for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of Strack & Van Til’s culture. We are incredibly grateful to our customers who contribute to these Round Up campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Strack says. “They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to donate to some of their favorite local organizations.”

Show your support for NWI Parkinson’s by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

See how NWI Parkinson’s is helping those living with the disease and get more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate at nwiparkinson.org. To learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.