Alzheimer’s Association in the news

Message From the Executive Director, July 2009

Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 is drawing to a close, and to quote Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was the winter of despair…it was the spring of hope.”   As with many individuals, businesses, public and nonprofit agencies, the Alzheimer’s Association felt the impact of the economic crisis. Striving to maintain services within the income we received stimulated tremendous creativity in our dedicated staff. As a result, we found new ways to build our movement.

With limited travel and supply budgets, we developed a new program called “Connected Conversations.” This was an eight-week educational series that family caregivers could access through their telephones. This proved very popular, reaching people all over the state, including those who were homebound and  could not attend community education programs. We will continue this program in FY 2010. See pages four and five of this newsletter for more information on this program. 

We also developed an e-newsletter to reach new groups of people and save on printing and postage costs. Through this venue and others we promoted the Second Annual Dementia at Midlife Conference, attended by 80 participants, mostly families impacted by younger-onset dementia. As a result, we have developed several new support groups for people living with dementia and their family members.

While income was less, the Alzheimer’s Association was blessed with an abundance of volunteers who helped expand the work of our mission. A record number of volunteers attended the National Public Policy Forum in March, visiting congressional representatives to advocate for increased research funding and supportive services.

During this year of challenge and hope we were inspired by our committed volunteers, individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their care partners, and the support of our good friends like you. As we approach the “season of giving,” we hope that you will remember us in your year-end giving plans. The holidays are a lovely time to make a direct gift to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor or memory of a loved one.

We hope that we can rely on your continued support in FY 2010, to help us achieve our goals of advancing research, enhancing care and support, increasing awareness, advancing advocacy and building capacity.

Sincerely,

Cass Naugle
Executive Director

Farewell to Transitioning Board of Directors Members

The Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter, recently honored board members who have served their maximum terms for their accomplishments and contributions to the organization’s growth.

Board Vice-President M. Chad Malkus, Esq., is pictured (left to right) with out-going board members Honorable Verna L. Jones Rodwell, Carl E. Tuerk, Jr., Esq., and Robert W. Parks. Not pictured is out-going Board Member Otho M. Thompson, Esq.

The Alzheimer’s Association thanks each of them for their years of dedication and work to help enhance our mission and their efforts to move the cause forward.