Heather Latter
The charitable dinner for the local Alzheimer Society, held Saturday night at La Place Rendez-Vous here, was a success—bringing in more the $3,800 that will be used locally to help people affected by the disease and their families.
“We are very pleased with the turnout of the ‘Forget Me Not’ dinner,” enthused executive director Lynn Moffatt.
“We had lots of new faces at the dinner this year and they said they would be attending next year, so that is a good sign that they enjoyed themselves. . . .
“We anticipate an even larger attendance next year,” Moffatt added.
The annual event included a tasty meal, which featured a garden salad with raspberry vinaigrette, a main course of Chicken Kiev with a cream risotto and a vegetable medley, followed by a warm apple crisp dessert.
There also was entertainment provided by local singers Brittany Hayes and Mike McCaig, as well as a silent auction and a mystery prize raffle.
“And, of course, we had many wonderful prizes that were donated by local businesses in Fort Frances,” Moffatt said about the silent auction table.
“They’ve always been very generous towards our dinner.”
Johnathan Price, of 93.1 The Border, served as emcee for the evening while remarks about the Alzheimer Society were made by Moffatt and local Client Services co-ordinator Mary O’Connor.
“This dinner, among many other fundraising events and activities at the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts, helps support families and clients we provide service to,” Moffatt noted.
She added the events also help provide awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
“We have 1,000 [people] in the Kenora-Rainy River Districts who are affected,” Moffatt said.
It’s expected that 1.3 million Canadians will be affected by 2038.
“When one person with dementia is affected, many other people around them are affected,” Moffatt explained.
“It affects their caregivers, their neighbours, people at work—everyone around them is affected by the disease.”
She stressed the need for investments in the care for individuals with dementia, as well as their caregivers, has never been greater.
“Today, every five minutes another Canadian is diagnosed with dementia,” Moffatt remarked.
“By 2038, this number will increase to one every two minutes.
“In less than 10 years, the number of people in Ontario with dementia will grow by 40 percent,” she added, noting the causes of dementia and the cure remain unknown.
“If no action is taken now to stem the rising tide of dementia, this disease is destined to become Canada’s next health crisis and will impact virtually every Canadian,” Moffatt warned.
“It could be someone you know—a friend, a colleague, or even a family member.”
Moffatt also said more people increasingly are turning to the local Alzheimer Society for help.
“Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s disease, another form of dementia, or supporting someone who is, we connect you to health services and information in your community—from the diagnosis throughout the progression of the disease,” she explained.
“You will receive one-on-one support or group support, access learning series, and get the help to plan for the future.”
Moffatt said they host the annual charitable dinner to help meet their budget, as well as be able to provide all the necessary services to those in both districts who require them.
“We do receive funding from the Local Integration Health Network under the Ontario government,” she noted.
“But we only receive 45 percent of our budget [so] 55 percent must come from the communities, from fundraising events such as the dinner.”
The dinner is held each January as part of Alzheimer Awareness Month.
Several other activities were held during the month in a nation-wide campaign to get Canadians talking about Alzheimer’s disease.
For instance, a presentation at the Fort Frances Public Library focused on the fact that women represent 72 percent of Canadians who live with Alzheimer’s disease.
It aimed to inform women in their 40s and older about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and how the Alzheimer Society can help.
Meanwhile, members of the Cabin Country Quilt Guild held a quilting bee at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau to help make “touch quilts,” which provide sensory stimulation to those with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
As well, Mayor Roy Avis raised the Alzheimer Society’s flag in front of Civic Centre at the beginning of the month while people were encouraged to wear the Forget-Me-Not flower in support of the awareness month.
Another upcoming Alzheimer event will be the annual book sale at Revco Carpet here Feb. 19-21.
“Browse tons of books and just make a donation,” said Moffatt, adding they are looking for volunteers to help out.
If you would like to volunteer, or want more information about the Alzheimer’s Society, call 1-800-682-0245.
