On The Fundraising Scene: Alzheimer “Coffee Break” Time

Take A “Coffee Break For The Alzheimer Society Take A “Coffee Break” For The Alzheimer Society

Windsor and Essex County companies, organizations and individuals were busy taking plenty of “Coffee Breaks” last fall, but it was all for a good cause.

Over $27,000 was raised to show their support for individuals in the community living with dementia by those hosting a “Coffee Break”. These special fundraisers were held at homes, workplaces, spas, yoga studios and places of worship in support of the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County (ASWE).

Franklin Gardens invited Epicure Spices to participate in their “Coffee Break” and Bake Sale.

WHAT IS “COFFEE BREAK”?

“Coffee Break” is any social activity where hosts collect donations for their local Alzheimer Society in exchange for a cup of coffee. They can be customized to any group or organization, with hosts combining the “Coffee Break” with bake sales, raffles, or casual dress days to maximize donations.

Additionally, thanks to the generosity of local coffee sponsor, Colonial Coffee, ASWE is able to distribute supplies to all hosts, making it easy for everyone to host an event.

“Colonial Coffee is happy to supply all the coffee, cups and lids, to hosts free of charge,” says Laurie Ohler, Vice President. “The Society works to address a growing need in our community and we want to show our support for them.”

Colonial Coffee hosted the first “Coffee Break” of the season at a special launch event in September 2019.

Ohler is proud to support the charity each year and notes “We were so excited to be kicking off the ‘Coffee Break’ for the Alzheimer Society and see the good things they do in the community.”

This year, about 100 local companies, organizations and individuals were involved in the annual initiative, which took place locally from September 1 to December 15, 2019 and events were held all over the county.

“Our hosts are so imaginative,” says Shannon Van WatteghemLevasseur, Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator for ASWE, “Franklin Gardens (long term care home in Leamington) invited community partners to their office and St. Joseph’s Catholic High School — French Immersion Grade 12 class hosted a crepe sale. We love seeing each creative idea every year.”

THE TOP LOCAL FUNDRAISERS Once again, CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd. earned the title of top fundraiser in the area, in 2019, raising an astounding $4,772.80! Donna Beaudoin, Accounts Payable Specialist at CenterLine, attributes “Coffee Break’s” continued success to generous staff and a great corporate matching program. They always hold a bake sale along with the “Coffee Break,” which increases the fun and dollars raised.

Their staff is very supportive of the event, by preparing delicious baked goods and generously donating. CenterLine has been involved in the campaign since 2009, raising over $45,000 for ASWE, to date. Ground Effects Ltd. held events at each of their 10 plants and coordinated the brewing and delivery of coffee.

Senior Managers showed off their barista skills and were on hand to serve up the coffee and snacks for employees. Employee donations were matched and helped to raise $3,000!

“Coffee Break” isn’t just for large organizations though. Longstanding ASWE volunteer Rehana Akhtar and her friends at South Windsor Recreation Complex hosted a “Coffee Break” and invited the community. Along with hot coffee, yummy baked goods and hotdogs were available for donations. Over $1,517 was raised!

Akhtar shares, “I host ‘Coffee Break’ to create awareness in the community and to raise money for the cause.” As well, parishioners at Westminster United Church have been supporting “Coffee Break” for the past 15 years, making them one of the Society’s longest standing hosts. This year, this small, but mighty, group raised $813. Every dollar makes a difference and ASWE is thankful for their continued commitment to the organization.

HOW ARE THE FUNDS USED?

The “Coffee Break” campaign has been steadily evolving over the last 24 years and it is proving to be more vital with each year that passes.

St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, French Immersion Grade 12 class, hosted a crepe sale and collected donations for the local Alzheimer Society. Peggy Winch of ASWE is pictured kneeling far right.

Dementia is one of the fastest-growing diseases of our time and there is no cure. Locally, approximately 7,800 Windsor and Essex County residents are living with dementia.

ASWE provides programs and services to address the current needs of over 2,800 of these persons diagnosed with dementia and their partners in care, and that number is growing.

Local programs such as the Memory Café, Minds In Motion, and Dining With Dementia, provide social opportunities for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

Additionally, respite care, via in-home visits or the Adult Day Program at the ASWE offices and the new location at Huron Lodge, provide safe and cognitively stimulating opportunities for people with Alzheimer’s, while providing their care partners much needed time to relax and rest.

January marked “Alzheimer Awareness” month and ASWE will be using #ilivewithdementia all year long on social media to help

Residents and staff of Seasons Retirement Community in LaSalle presented a cheque for $1,316.65 to Peggy Winch, ASWE Manager of Fund Development and Community Engagement (seated in middle) from the proceeds of their “Coffee Break”.

bring awareness and understanding of the disease to Canadians.

The Alzheimer Society is encouraging people to learn more about the disease and to challenge the misconceptions and stigmas that surround it. To help lessen the impact of this disease on those living with it today, and help fund vital research to help eliminate it in the future, please visit: AlzheimerWindsor.com.

The AWSE thanks all their “Coffee Break” hosts, volunteers, sponsors and donors. Your help ensures there is “Help For Today” for those who need it and “Hope for Tomorrow” that a cure will be found.

The organization also appreciates their corporate sponsors like Biz X magazine. Biz X is proud to be the exclusive media sponsor again this year, and their continued promotion of “Coffee Break” helps spread the awareness about the campaign.

“Coffee Break” 2020 kicks off in September, contact Shannon by email: svanwatteghem@aswecare.com and be sure to sign up early!