Your Support Makes a Difference.
Dear Friend,
We at Old Friends Club are full of gratitude. Over the last three months, we have raised $38,790!
Our fall fundraising campaign raised $21,950. A huge thank you to those who gave for your encouraging gifts of support!
Then, a week before Thanksgiving, OFC held a small fundraising event—a cozy affair of 21 people that raised over $17,000 in one night! Our heartfelt thanks to Russell Lowell of Russell’s Restaurant & Loft whose big heart made the event possible and whose culinary talents made it a mouthwatering success, to Northwest Cellars who matched the tickets to the event dollar for dollar. And to the guests who gave their kind attention and donated to help create more stories like those we shared that night. Those stories brought laughter and some tears, and for some, hope. Hope that those they love who are affected by dementia will also have that place of friendship and restoring respite. The need for the Clubs is everywhere.
Respite everywhere! That’s Old Friends Club’s vision. And we have a strategy to make that happen. Of course, it comes down to money. We are encouraged by these first focused forays into fundraising – and there is a long way to go. To make this vision a reality, OFC needs to hire key people, and to do that we need to raise $300,000 annually from grants, sponsorships, and private donations. We’re pursuing the grants and sponsorships, and we’re counting on you, our community and supporters, to bridge the gap.
It seems big, but when you think about the impact we will make together, it’s a bargain! Many hands make light work. Will you give what you can to help raise another $60,000 to meet the need all around us? We can do this.
Leaning into this community with much gratitude,
Karen Koenig, Founder
There is an enormous gap in dementia care.
The friends and family of those with dementia are, by far, the leading providers of dementia care. The number of caregivers will rise from 300,000 to above 800,000 by 2040, as the expected number of adults living with dementia will more than double by that time.
The home care aide industry is expected to grow 33% by 2030, which is much faster than other industries. There is a serious concern that there won’t be enough caregivers to fit these roles, however, leaving the responsibility to families and friends.
The Clubs are community-based, inclusive, social respite programs that improve care and caregiver outcomes, and reduce the burden on the broader health care systems.
The Clubs allow for people living with dementia to stay in their homes for as long as possible, reducing the confusion that comes from moving environments as well as saving thousands of dollars every month on facility costs.
Caregivers provide 24/7 care to those they care for. Often, the behaviors associated with the progression of the various types of dementia can be challenging, exhausting, and heartbreaking. There is a level of grief that may occur too. Many caregivers have additional life responsibilities as well, which increases stress, expectations, and leaves for little time for rest and relaxation.
Everyone needs to recharge their battery. Let’s work together to be the solution these caregivers need to catch the break they deserve. The need is urgent and reaches every community, so we must too. Consider a gift today.
