Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts is gearing up for their annual Wine, Women & Purses fundraiser on November 28th, with all proceeds going to the local charity and their programs.
It’s the organization’s 14th year of running the event, which was originally held in the adult day program room of their Sudbury office. Happily, the event has far outgrown that space, selling 250 tickets to local women. This year it’s being held at SteelWorkers’ Union Hall & Conference Centre at 66 Brady Street, from 6:30-9:30PM.
There will be appetizers and desserts served, vendor sales, music, a silent auction of handbags and other items, and a raffle of luxurious purses (donated by Lopes), at the end of the night. The silent auction items have been donated by local businesses and individuals.
Shannon Ketchabaw attended the event for the first time last year, and is excited to attend this year in her new role as executive director of Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts.
“It’s a fun night out. It’s about raising awareness, yes, but it’s also for women to come out and enjoy themselves.”
The charity is hoping to raise $20,000 to support their much-needed programs and services. Currently, 350,000 women in Canada are living with dementia, with these numbers expected to rise to over a million within a generation. The annual fundraiser helps the organization raise money for the programs that their communities need the most. “The dollars raised goes back into our programs, wherever it is needed the most,” says Shannon.
All the funds raised from the event remain local to the areas that the organization serves, which include Sudbury, Manitoulin, North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, and more. A full map of the areas they serve is available on their website.
Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts provides a broad range of services to support individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, as well as their caregivers. These services include behavioural support facilitators, first link navigators, day programs, recreation therapy, education sessions, and support groups.
The day program enables caregivers to leave the person they’re caring for in capable, trustworthy hands, and take some time to sleep, pick up groceries, or take the mental health break that they may need. Support groups are helpful for caregivers to share their experiences with others, and lean on each other for support.
The organization also helps caregivers navigate the system, guiding them to the Alzheimer’s and dementia-related support services that are out there.
Shannon has a personal understanding of how isolating the disease can be, for both the person with Alzheimer’s and their family. Her father has dementia and is currently living in a long-term care facility. This is one reason that she finds the charity’s work deeply meaningful.
“Don’t be afraid to call us, to get information, to use services in the community that are there to help you. Because you’re not alone,” she says.
Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts are still accepting monetary and auction item donations for their upcoming event, as well as sponsors. To donate, contact [email protected].
To purchase tickets for the Wine, Women & Purses event, visit here.
For more information, visit here.