For Immediate Release
The Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District Announces
the Penny for Your Thoughts Campaign.
The Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District would like to use the news of the elimination of the
penny as a bright and shiny fundraising opportunity for their Dementia Art Therapy Program. They ask
that the community bring their soon-to-be obsolete pennies into the office for collection. All funds
raised from the penny campaign will help continue the program as the Ontario Trillium Foundation is
only providing funding for this program until November 2012. The Dementia Art Therapy Program
launched in January 2011 and has been a tremendous success. To date, the program has directly
serviced 977 people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or a form of dementia.
‘Our goal for the campaign is 1 million pennies, which would equate to $10,000.’ Says Alzheimer Society
of North Bay’s Executive Director, Linda Brown. ‘This money would allow us to continue directly serving
the people that suffer from dementia through art therapy, which is often one of the only means of
communication they have left.’
A study by the Desjardins Groups says Canadians could be hoarding several billion pennies, along with
other coins. The Alzheimer Society’s Penny for Your Thoughts Campaign is a great opportunity for
people to free those pennies from their jars at home and give them to a great cause. Pennies can be
dropped off at the North Bay Alzheimer Society office, 1180 Cassells Street, during office hours; Monday
to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Tax receipts can be provided for donations over $10, or 1,000 pennies.
For more information on the Alzheimer’s Penny for Your Thoughts Campaign please contact;
Andrea Parolin
Fund Development Coordinator
Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District
705.495.4342
[email protected]
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NORTH BAY AND DISTRICT
1180 CASSELLS STREET NORTH BAY, ONTARIO P1B 4B6
TEL: (705) 495-4342 FAX: (705) 495-0329
WEBSITE: www.alzheimernorthbay.com EMAIL: [email protected]
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION #: BN131790461RR0001
~ Art piece done by Eastholme resident.
‘For people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease [or a form of dementia] it is frustrating and
frightening to be cared for by strangers that have little or no knowledge of the person they were,
the person they are today, or the person they’ll become. When communication is lost and the
caregiver cannot communicate with them, what is left? Here at Eastholme, we have noticed a big
change in our residents who have taken part in the Art as Therapy Program and have been
fortunate to receive this service twice a month. Our residents can come to a familiar gathering
place, be looked after by the same therapist, and are allowed to express themselves in a manner
that feels right for them. We have discovered that some residents are very critical of their work,
some work diligently until the project is finished and others cannot wait to show off their final
product. It is often difficult to measure the success of a program when the person involved will
not remember that they were even there. But believe me, the hour that they have is important to
them. I ask that you please support the efforts of the Alzheimer Society of North Bay in keeping
this program available to our residents.’
Linda Cherry - Program Manager, Eastholme, Home for the Aged.
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NORTH BAY AND DISTRICT
1180 CASSELLS STREET NORTH BAY, ONTARIO P1B 4B6
TEL: (705) 495-4342 FAX: (705) 495-0329
WEBSITE: www.alzheimernorthbay.com EMAIL: [email protected]
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION #: BN131790461RR0001