Duane Hicks
Looking for a gift idea for someone who has everything? How about tickets to an evening of fine dining in the name of a good cause?
The local Alzheimer Society once again will hold its annual “Forget Me Not Dinner,” which is slated for Saturday, Jan. 12 at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
“[Tickets] can definitely be purchased for Christmas gifts and stocking-stuffers,” said Lynn Moffatt, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts.
While organizers had held a “Spring Reflections” dinner this past March, they decided to move their main fundraiser dinner back to January after getting feedback from the public and past participants.
“We did find people purchase the tickets as Christmas gifts,” explained Moffatt, adding having the event in early January also catches some “snowbirds” before they head south.
Holding the dinner is January also means it coincides with Alzheimer Awareness Month.
Moffatt said the fundraiser is very important for the local Alzheimer Society and those who receive help from it.
“The reason we do the dinner is to support the 1,000 individuals [in the two districts] that are affected with Alzheimer’s disease and their families, and to help us provide ongoing support of programs,” she noted.
“The Alzheimer Society, we are only 45 percent funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care and the Local Health Integration Network,” Moffatt added.
“So the 55 percent must come from putting on dinners like the ‘Forget Me Not’ and a number of other different fundraising events.”
Moffatt said the organization really appreciates and relies on the support from the community to continue to provide its ongoing services.
“The community is just wonderful, that they continue to support our organization,” she enthused.
“We would not be able to do it without them.”
Tickets for the dinner cost $50 each or $400 for a table of eight (a charity tax receipt issued for $25).
You can buy tickets in person at La Place Rendez-Vous and Northwoods Gallery & Gifts here, Dev-Lynne’s in Devlin, and the Emo Inn and Cloverleaf Easy Foods in Emo.
To purchase your tickets by phone, call 1-800-682-0245.
You also can purchase tickets online at www.alzheimerkrr.com
Cocktails will be at 6 p.m., with the pork tenderloin supper to follow at 6:30.
The evening also will include entertainment and a silent auction.
Book sale
In related news, if you get one too many books for your collection this Christmas, don’t panic—you’ll be able to donate them to the Alzheimer Society’s ever-popular book sale.
Moffatt said details are being confirmed, but she can say the book sale will be held in late January at Revco Carpet (950 Fifth St. W.)
As in the past, the Alzheimer Society will be welcoming donations of gently-used books in the new year.
Then at the sale, book-lovers can fill up a bag with books for the price of a donation.
All proceeds go the local Alzheimer Society.
January also is the month for the “Coffee Break Challenge,” with Moffatt saying the local Alzheimer Society is looking for more businesses to sign up.
The Alzheimer Society provides a hosting kit. It’s then up to individuals and businesses to invite guests, and collect donations, in exchange for a cup of coffee (or other refreshments if the host so chooses).
Bake sales are another option, Moffatt noted.
The business also can sell paper cut-outs of a coffee cup for $1 each.
So far, places in Fort Frances that will be selling the paper “coffee cups” in January include KFC, Dairy Queen, and Northern Lights Credit Union.
Sign up today to participate in the challenge.
For more details, call 1-800-682-0245, e-mail ashton@alzheimerkrr.com, or visit www.alzheimerkrr.com
