I wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to the new and ‘original’ Central Albertans who helped us raise over $17,000 at our ‘East Coast Meets West Kitchen Party’ fundraiser on Jan. 25. Our numerous volunteers, from Newfoundland/Sylvan Lake, Nova Scotia/Blackfalds, India/Red Deer, Manitoba/Red Deer, and Ontario/Red Deer, and Red Deer/Red Deer, created a warm atmosphere that welcomed all of our ticket holders like the friends they became as the night progressed.

Red Deer’s The Eclectics and Calgary’s Chris Greve and Claymore had everyone on the floor dancing and singing, and Kevin Watson played host to perfection – stopping short of topping up people’s glasses. Ponoka’s The Raspberry Patch created a menu that reminded almost everyone of their home.

We are grateful to our generous sponsors including 100.7FM The River, Agri-Trade, NWP Inc., and JDK Tile Designs for helping make this brand new event the success that it was. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to next year’s kitchen party!

Continued successful fundraising is crucial to supporting the Red Deer and Central Alberta office’s growth in activity and client base. Upcoming examples of the quality education and support services provided is the second session of the Seeds of Hope Family Learning Series, starting the third week of February and focusing on understanding and coping with the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, and a new support group for people with dementia beginning in March. For more information on programming, please contact Christine Prysunka at 403-342-0448.

The Society educates, supports and advocates for those with dementia and their care partners and promotes research into effective treatments and finding a cure for this debilitating disease. Until a cure is found, we are here to help.‬

Thank you.

Janice Fogarty, manager, community relations

Alzheimer Society of Alberta & NWT – Red Deer and Central Alberta office