Beaver Staff
The Alzheimer Society of KFL&A launches the first of its fall fundraisers, on Friday, Oct. 1 at local McDonald’s restaurants.
The Alzheimer’s Coffee Break will be held at every McDonald’s in Kingston and Napanee, and McDonald’s will generously donate .50 cents of every coffee sold throughout the day on Oct. 1. Typically on this day, customers would be greeted by volunteers handing out information about Alzheimers, and offering people an opportunity to donate their change to the organization, however, out of an abundance of caution, as part of their COVID protocol, the Society has decided to forgo the volunteer component again this year.
Vicki Poffley, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society, explains that “while having volunteers give out information and collecting donations is crucial to the overall success of this fundraiser, it is more important that we mitigate the health risks to both volunteers and customers that could occur through closer in-person contact at this time. Instead, we invite customers and past volunteers to help out by encouraging family and friends to visit any McDonald’s in KFLA for coffee on Oct. 1, and to make a donation in the onsite donation boxes, or online at www.alzheimer.ca/kfla . We also thank McDonald’s owners for hosting this very important fundraiser again this year, despite the challenging times we have experienced as a result of the pandemic”.
The Forget Me Not Photos have also become one of the Society’s more popular fundraising activities during the pandemic and will take place on Oct. 16 in Kingston and October 17 in Napanee, (with more dates expected to be announced based on demand). Local Photographer Rob Mooy started the fundraiser two years ago, in partnership with the Society and it is also generously supported by James Reid Funeral Home and Camera Kingston. At a time when many families have been distanced from siblings and grandkids and parents, the Forget Me Not Photos allow them to safely capture precious family moments and to share them just in time for holiday gift giving.
The photo shoots are 20 minute mini-sessions, done at outdoor locations, and cost $75 with all the proceeds going to the Society. Families will receive a minimum of 12 digital photos, along with a coupon offering a free 5 x 7 print and special discounts on processing and frames. Bookings can be made by contacting Fundraising Coordinator Lesley Kimble at fundraising@alzking.com or by calling 613-544-3078 ext. 204.
The Coffee Day marks the beginning of a series of fall third-party fundraisers hosted by individuals and businesses throughout KFL&A. In the coming months, residents will find some businesses offering special products with a portion of the proceeds going to the Society, and several sport, employee and community groups will also host smaller fundraisers such as coffee breaks, silent auctions, yard sales. The Alzheimer Society invites any business, group or individual to host a third-party event which they can support with promotional assistance and information about Alzheimers and other dementias which affects over 4000 people living in KFLA. For those who are more comfortable hosting online fundraisers, there are a variety of fun and exciting group activities including paint nights, cooking classes, mindfulness sessions , Zentangle and more, which can be accessed through this link: https://alzheimer.ca/kfla/en/take- action/fundraise-participate/social-purpose .
All monies raised by and for the Alzheimer Society of KFL&A stay local and are used to provide programs and services which support those who are diagnosed, their caregivers and families. The Society also provides educational opportunities for health care professionals, employee groups and businesses, and the general public in an effort to make our communities more dementia friendly. Any group interested in participating in dementia friendly training is invited to contact the Society directly at 613-544-3078.
For information on any of the above fundraisers, or on how you can host your own Alzheimers fundraiser, please contact Lesley Kimble at fundraising@alzking.com or 613- 5443-3078 ext. 204.