December 22, 2017 · 0 Comments
By Jasen Obermeyer
The Alzheimer Society of Dufferin recently hosted their Holiday Open House, to cap off another year of raising funds to help sufferers and their families deal with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Clients, community partners and families came by to socialize, and thank everyone for another year’s help.
The open house took place at the society’s office last Thursday (Dec. 14) and was in support of their coffee break fundraising campaign.
The coffee break campaign is the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s “major nationwide annual fundraiser where friends, co-workers and customers gather in communities across Canada to raise funds for their local Alzheimer Society.”
The donations support the society’s programs and services.
“We really want to fundraise as much as possible, because the more that we fundraise, the more that we’re able to be a little bit creative with the different programs that we offer,” said Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron, the society’s executive director.
She said they are required to fundraise 30 per cent, roughly $100,000 yearly, and can only do the programs and services they are funded.
Ms. Koskamp-Bergeron described this year as one of growth, as there has been an increased awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and of their organization being known in the community. “The laughter and the joy that comes down the hall is something that is probably the best thing about being in the office.”
She said their annual Walk for Alzheimer’s was “hugely successful,” and will continue to do it again next year.
In regards to those they help to live with dementia and Alzheimer’s, she said, “as much as we give back, they give back to us.”
Ms. Koskamp-Bergeron added they are going to continue to spread awareness, as Alzheimer’s and dementia are on the rise, with Ontario currently having 220,000 people affected by it, while across the country it is 565,000. “When you fast forward that 20 years, we’re looking at 900,000 Canadians living with dementia.”