Chilliwack Alzheimer's Society Coffee Break fundraiser brews up over $1K

Sunday October 2, 2011

Community

Camaraderie and Coffee

Alzheimer Coffee Break fundraiser brews up over $1K

Staff/Voice photos

Java lovers dropped by the Evergreen Hall on Thursday in support of the Alzheimer's Society Coffee Break fundraiser.

ne thing the Alzheimer's Society of BC loves is coffee. According to recent US medical studies, an unknown element in coffee interacts with caffeine to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. They don't know what it does, they only know it helps.

Like cancer, Alzheimer's disease has touched most people's lives. Advances are being made all the time but we're still a years away from a possible cure.

In the meantime, we can feel free to drink coffee. Lots of it.

Once a year, the Alzheimer's Society of BC hold Coffee Break fundraisers throughout the province and Thursday, the smell of freshly roasted and brewed coffee permeated the air at the Evergreen Hall lobby where organizers held the event.

Gail Johnson (left) is a long-time volunteer with the Society in Chilliwack.

It's an important time for the local Chapter, because it's one of only two fundraisers they have all year. Director Jillian Armit, Support and Education Coordinator for the Fraser Valley and long-time volunteer Gail Johnson really look forward to the Coffee Break. It's an opportunity to meet with and show the community what it is they do.

Over the course of a few hours, as people drifted in and donations were left, the group managed to raise just over $1000. Not bad for few hours of mingling, and about $200 more than last year's total.

The local chapter is small. They only have 12 year-round volunteers to service the entire city and surrounding areas and the money they raise is used to fund Chilliwack programs, as well as support services for people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and their caregivers.

Johnson says the response from the community is great in January when they need the volunteers for the Annual Walk For Memories.

"We have 27 volunteers plus a volunteer crew of 9 from the Royal Bank who handle the registration and accounting duties, plus of course, our deejay who volunteers his time, our emcee Ana Macedo, Carolyn Pinsent from the YMCA and our face painter/balloon twister," said Johnson adding, "I think we have the best committee in the province."

This Chilliwack honouree this year is Richard Kostrzewa, the husband of long-time City Councillor Dorothy.

For more information on how you can help call 604-702-4603 or visit: www.alzheimerbc.org

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